Elections committee sets guidelines for campaigning

The High Elections Committee on Wednesday issued guidelines regulating electoral campaigning and funding as Egypt gears up for the parliamentary elections slated for April.

Last week, the HEC announced that the elections will begin on March 22 and continue until the end of April.

The first stage of voting will take place on March 22-23, while voting for the second phase will roll out on April 26–27.

The HEC said campaigning may begin as soon as the final list of candidates is announced and until 12 pm the day before the vote. In the case of a runoff, campaigning may begin the day following the results and until 12 pm the day before the runoff vote.

Candidates running for individual seats may spend a maximum of LE500,000, and only as much as LE200,000 in the runoffs. This amount is doubled for each 15-member list.

The guidelines also allow donations from citizens and parties of a maximum of 5 percent of the maximum amount allowed for campaign spending. Candidates are also expected to notify the HEC with the names and parties they received donations from. 

The HEC however forbids receiving donations from foreign citizens, countries or organizations, as well as local or foreign institutions, and foreign and local entities.

It also forbids invading the privacy of citizens or candidates under the pretext of campaigning, as well as threatening national unity and using religious slogans and symbols to discriminate between citizens as well as inciting hatred.

Using public facilities, houses of worship, universities and schools for campaigning is also forbidden.

Giving gifts, donations or any kind of aid, or making such promises is also forbidden.

The HEC will form committees that comprise independent experts responsible for monitoring the voting process across the country, who will report any violations to the HEC. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the guidelines.

Candidates may also be disqualified by a court order, should they violate the guidelines.

Civil society organizations that are authorized by the HEC to monitor the elections are expected to present reports with recommendations to the committee within 15 days of the final results.

The People's Assembly, or the lower house of Parliament, was dissolved in June 2012 after the Elections Law was ruled unconstitutional.