The National Elections Commission held a press conference Tuesday, in which it announced its intention to announce the timetable and decisions governing the presidential election process at a conference to be held at the headquarters of the State Information Service on Monday.
Mahmoud al-Sherif, the official spokesman of the State Information Service, said that the Commission is keen on clarity, openness and transparency, and welcomes local and international civil society organizations wishing to observe the elections. He said organizations can submit their requests to observe the elections to a committee specifically formed to look into their requests.
Sherif answered a question about updating the data of eligible voters saying the committee will add all those who have reached the age of 18 years old and remove those deprived of their political rights in accordance to the laws of political rights and terrorist organizations.
He added: “If transparency is required in public work, then it must be one of the pillars of the electoral process, especially in light of the Commission’s belief in the clear role of the media, which plays its role alongside all institutions.”
The State Information Service will respond to inquiries raised by potential presidential candidates Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat and Khaled Ali about the integrity and transparency of the elections in its conference Monday, he said.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
