Egypt’s election authority introduced several technical modifications for the Shura Council election
including improved ballot boxes and related security materials. Carter Center witnesses reported that
this new equipment improved accountability, transparency, and the secure storage of votes, especially
overnight.

The procedure to count votes in polling rooms allowed for a more orderly and efficient counting
process than occurred in the more centralized count centers used in the People’s Assembly election.
However, Carter Center witnesses noted that this decentralization made it impossible for several
parties and candidates with limited numbers of agents and representatives to monitor counting at all
polling stations.

The Carter Center remains deeply concerned about the serious under-representation of women in
senior election administration positions as candidates and representatives, as well as the lack of an
effective quota to achieve female representation. The Carter Center urges stakeholders, including the
Constitutional Drafting Committee, to take definitive steps to improve women’s participation and
representation. This could include introducing a minimum 30 percent quota to ensure effective
representation of women in both houses of the legislature

Due to an increased sensitivity toward international NGOs, Carter Center witnesses in some cases
experienced hostility and aggressiveness from party agents and representatives as well as more
intensive questioning by election officials and security forces regarding their status and institutional
affiliation.

Reconsider the role of sitting judges as ex officio members of the EMB due to unreasonable burden and potential conflicts of interest.

Ensure the stability of the legal framework and electoral calendar.

Include a provision in the electoral law that allows for impartial scrutiny of all election processes.

Consolidate and clarify an impartial, efficient and transparent electoral dispute resolution system.

Advance equal representation of women in public affair and electoral administration.

Ensure that the electoral law fully obliges the election authority to conduct civic and voter education.

Ensure that there is popular or parliamentary approval of vide presidential candidates.

Ensure the enjoyment of the fundamental rights to vote and to be elected.

Ensure that election officials and key stakeholders are adequately trained and informed of all aspects of electoral law and procedures.

Ensure timely notification of procedural changes.

Ensure election day procedures are consistently applied.

Eliminate the campaign silence period.

Implement secret voting rigorously

Regarding ballot design, there should only be one space, instead of several, for write-in candidates where only one person is to be elected for the position, avoiding confusion

Improve election administration, particularly voting conditions and inadequate training that led to disenfranchisement

Consider moving away from the “closed college” system of voting stations

Place increased emphasis on voter and poll worker education

Re-engineer the voting process to improve the flow of voters through polling sites; suggestions include adding more vote tabulating machines and reducing the number of voters per machine

Conduct timely, comprehensive simulations, testing all party of the automated process that are open for scrutiny by political parties, candidates, media, and observer groups

Adhere carefully to constitutional provisions for the nomination of National Electoral Council (CNE) directors

Handle appeals in a timely, impartial manner; the CNE should redouble its efforts to resolve pending cases and publish its decisions in the national media