Egypt

The International Republican Institute (IRI) identified three areas where it can provide support to Egyptians: the first, which has been completed, were election assessments for the presidential election in September 2005 and parliamentary elections in November/December 2005; the second is national and local public opinion research; and the third is post-election political party capacity-building.

In its assessments, IRI found that one of the most encouraging elements was the effort of the Judges' Club — the primary association of all judges in Egypt — to ensure a transparent election process and expand its political independence. The Judges' Club consistently pushed for supervision over the process and international standards that would help ensure a fair and credible election. In addition to the positive role played by the Judges' Club, the substantial effort of civil society organizations to provide domestic monitoring of the election was particularly encouraging. Thirty-four organizations joined together in three different coalitions and monitored the candidate registration process, media coverage of candidates during the campaign period, and voting on Election Day with more than 2,000 monitors throughout Egypt's governorates.

IRI sponsored the participation of Egyptian women in two international and regional conferences; the launch of IRI’s Women’s Democracy Network, and Leading Change: Women and Democracy’s New Frontiers, a regional conference of European and Middle East and North African women leaders held in Istanbul, Turkey.

In February 2005, President Hosni Mubarak requested an amendment to Article 76 of the Egyptian constitution that would end the referendum system of approving a single presidential candidate put forth by parliament. This amendment allowed all legally registered political parties to nominate a candidate, however, independents wanting to seek the presidency would have to collect 250 signatures from members of parliament, senators and representatives of local councils. Since President Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP) controls more than 80 percent of all elected positions, this latter requirement effectively barred independent candidates from entering the race.

One of the most notable features of the September presidential election was the lack of interference or intimidation by security services outside polling stations, as occurred in previous elections and referendums. There were reports that some domestic monitors were beaten or taken into custody, however, there was substantially less violence than in years past. In general, opposition voters were allowed to enter polling stations and candidate representatives from a number of parties were allowed inside to observe the voting process.

In November and December 2005 parliamentary elections were marred by aggressive tactics on the part of security forces that prevented voting and allowed violence among candidate representatives.

Political Overview

Chief of State: President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak

Type of Government: republic

Suffrage: universal and compulsory, age 18

Elections Calendar

Program Overview

Focus of Program: democracy and governance program

Funding Source: U.S. Agency for International Development