Independent observatories for voting committees continued their observation for the second day of elections in 14 governorates of the first electoral phase on Monday.
The international observation mission from the Maat Foundation reported a slight rise in voter turnout during the first hours of the second day of elections on Monday, compared to the same timing the day before.
The report also stated that delays in opening the polling stations were limited compared to Sunday, whereas security procedures remained effective in tightening security in the stations.
A team of international observers reported they were harassed by a security officer in Wadi Al-Natrun constituency as the officer insisted on taking their passports and then withholding it from them for half an hour. The delegation filed a complaint to the Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC) and the Interior Ministry’s observatory room. The head of Badr police station apologised to the delegation following the incident.
The Journalists Against Torture Observatory documented seven incidents of assault on journalists in different governorates, mostly by candidate supporters. Three journalists were assaulted in Kerdasa, one in Badrashein, one in Beheira, and two in Dokki.
In addition, security forces at a school in Agouza refused to let journalists take pictures of the polling station, despite having the SEC permits as well as their press identification cards.
The Observatory documented 12 violations against journalists on the first day of elections, with the most violations occurring in Giza.
Preventing journalists from covering the elections was characterised as the main violation on both days. Security forces, including the police and the army, were responsible for most of the violations, followed by government officials and the police alone.
The Egyptians Observe! Campaign, composed of 24 organisations and rights groups, specialised in elections observation, reported an average turnout on the second day of elections amid a quiet and stable electoral process. The campaign’s first press release for the second day of elections signalled a possible rise in turnout, with women comprising the larger percentage of voters, followed by the elderly.
The statement said the youth made an appearance at some polling station in Giza, Sohag, and Assiut.
The campaign documented clashes between opposing candidate supporters in Badrashein (Giza) and female students throwing stones at a polling station in Damanhour in protest against the absence of the banned Muslim Brotherhood from the electoral scene.
Similar observations were taken by various independent organisations on the first day of elections.
