Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

Can Egypt prosecute 54 million voters?

Can Egypt prosecute 54 million voters?

In a first of its kind, Egypt has referred more than 54 million voters to the public prosecution office for their failure to vote in the Senate elections.
Egypt’s National Elections Authority (NEA) announced Aug. 26 that it would refer to prosecutors 54 million people who did not cast their votes in the 2020 Senate elections.

The board of directors of the NEA, headed by Judge Lachin Ibrahim, held a meeting Aug. 26 to discuss the "mechanisms to apply the provisions of the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights on voters who failed to perform their national duty and cast a vote in the first round of Senate elections held Aug. 11-12." The board reviewed the lists of names of eligible voters who failed to exercise this right.

The board said after its meeting that the Egyptian state provided all the capabilities and equipment necessary for voters to exercise their political right and vote in the first round of the elections, and the NEA took all precautionary measures that would protect parties to the electoral process and voters from the coronavirus pandemic.

The public committees, formed by the NEA to follow up on the electoral process throughout the country, had repeatedly stressed the need to take part in the electoral process ahead of election day. Yet still, some failed to fulfill their national role and duty to participate, which led the board of directors of the authority to refer them to the public prosecution to take the necessary action in this regard.

The board referred to the provisions of Article 57 of the amended Law No. 45 of 2014 on the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights, which imposes a fine not exceeding 500 Egyptian pounds (about $31) on voters who did not cast their votes.

Some 14.23% of about 64 million eligible voters cast their votes in the elections of the Senate, the upper house of parliament.

Gamal Gobril, a professor of public law at the Faculty of Law at Helwan University, told Al-Monitor that the commission is merely implementing the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights, which has been in place for years. But this is the first time that the law imposing a fine on voters who do not cast their ballots is being implemented, he explained.

Gobril added that the penal code gives public prosecutors the right to take the appropriate decision in such cases and determine the value of the fine provided it does not exceed 500 Egyptian pounds (about $31). He stressed that voting is a right for every citizen, and they must exercise their right to choose who will represent them.

Judge Abdullah al-Baja, head of the Cairo Court of Appeal, told Al-Monitor that the NEA’s decision to refer voters who did not vote in the Senate elections is not new but is instead an implementation of the law that stipulates imposing a penalty on anyone who fails to participate in the electoral process without an excuse. The public prosecution, he said, determines the value of the fine.

Baja believes that the NEA’s decision is a legal procedure, adding that a penalty must be imposed on everyone who violates the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights. He believes this will push more people to cast their votes in any upcoming election. He stressed that voting is a national right and duty, and Egyptians must willingly choose their representatives.

On the reasons behind the low turnout, Mohammed Hussein, a professor of political science at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor that the polling stations were located far away from residential areas, making the trip hard for some Egyptians.

Hussein added that the elections are a right and a duty performed by every Egyptian citizen who must cast their vote in order to exercise their constitutional right and pay their duty to the homeland.

Muhammad Sayed Ahmed, a professor of political sociology at El Shorouk Academy, told Al-Monitor that the lack of political participation among Egyptians is not new and has been the case for years. There are a large number of voters who did not participate in the Senate elections due to the economic situation and poverty, he said, adding that Egyptians are busy providing for their families.

Ahmed believes voters felt that their votes were ineffective because of political money controlling the elections, and that was one of the reasons behind their decision not to participate. Also, the expansion of electoral districts - the NEA merged several electoral districts - and the adoption of the absolute list system made it hard for voters to know the candidates, especially considering that there wasn’t much time allowed for electoral campaigns and candidates could not present their electoral program to citizens.

Sayed added that the penalty has not been applied and most likely won’t. This is the first time it is announced in order to pressure voters to participate in upcoming elections, he said. “But I do not think this will change anything as a large number of voters did not participate in the elections and know that the fine is being used as a pressure card,” he concluded.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia and the United States Strengthen Ties Amid Global Developments
Saudi Arabia Hosts Global Conference to Promote Islamic Unity
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education and Child Development
Saudi Arabia Announces Competition for Best Founding Day Outfits
Saudi-EU Food Security Officials Hold Talks to Strengthen Collaboration
Putin Expresses Gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US-Russia Talks
UK and Saudi Arabia Enhance Collaboration in Innovation and Technology
Denmark's Embassy in Riyadh Showcases Danish Cuisine with Saudi Influence
Saudi Artist Salman Al-Amir Unveils 'Tafawut' Exhibition in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Kuwait Following Military Exercise Fatalities
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs Completes Ramadan Preparations in Madinah
Etidal Secretary-General Hosts UN Counter-Terrorism Director in Riyadh
ADNOC Drilling Targets Over $1 Billion in Investments for 2025 Amid Gulf Expansion Plans
Derayah Financial Achieves Remarkable Growth in Saudi Brokerage and Asset Management
Saudi Arabia Shortlists 30 Firms for Mining Licenses in Eastern Province and Tabuk
Saudi Foreign Minister Engages Counterparts at G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Oil Prices Decline Amid Rising US Inventories
Saudi Arabia's NDMC Plans Green Bond Issuance by 2025
Moody’s Affirms Egypt’s Caa1 Rating Amid Positive Economic Outlook
Oman and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Economic Ties with New Agreements
Saudi Arabia Investments Propel Expansion of Qurayyah Power Plant
Saudi Capital Market Authority Advances SPACs and Direct Listings
Global Energy Leaders Gather in Riyadh for Symposium on Energy Outlooks
Al-Ahsa Region Sees 500% Growth in Tourism as Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Development
Saudi Arabia Advances Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Al-Ahsa with New Agreement
King Salman Approves Official Saudi Riyal Symbol
Saudi Credit Card Lending Reaches $8.4 Billion Amid Digital Payment Expansion
King Salman Approves Official Symbol for Saudi Riyal
Putin Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Facilitating U.S.-Russia Discussions
Saudi Foreign Minister Attends G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Saudi Arabia Prepares for Nationwide Founding Day Celebrations
Inauguration of Hira Park and Walkway Enhances Jeddah's Urban Landscape
Crown Prince Hosts Leaders for Informal Meeting in Riyadh Amid Gaza Rebuilding Plans
Saudi Official Highlights Achievements and Media's Role in National Transformation
Three Expatriate Women Arrested for Prostitution in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Evolution Highlighted at Saudi Media Forum
Healthy Eating and Preparation Essential for Ramadan Fasting
Saudi Arabia and Japan Forge Sustainable Textile Partnership
Advanced Limb Surgery Restores Mobility in Pediatric Cancer Patient
Jeddah Event Explores AI's Role in Boosting Saudi Arabia's SME Sector
UN Representative Highlights AI's Role in Perpetuating Gender Stereotypes
Saudi and Jordanian Leaders Discuss Enhanced Security Cooperation in Amman
Saudi British Society Honors Cultural Bridge-Builders at London Gala
Saudi Media Forum 2025 Explores AI's Role in Modern Journalism
Saudi Arabia's Saqer Al-Moqbel Appointed as WTO General Council President for 2025–2026
Saudi Deputy Ministers Engage in Diplomatic Discussions with U.S. and Dutch Officials in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia to Launch Iftar Program in 61 Countries During Ramadan
Saudi Visitors Expected to Spend £942 Million in UK During 2025
Saudi Arabia Gifts Kaaba's Kiswah to Uzbekistan's Center of Islamic Civilization
Digital Cooperation Organization Concludes Fourth General Assembly with Multiple Agreements
×