Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) has called on authorities in Egypt to intensify political awareness programmes for citizens.

EOHR made the call as part of its recommendations in a report titled Elections under the Corona Pandemic.

Development Diaries understands that senate elections in Egypt were held on 11 and 12 August, 2020, while the runoffs took place on 8 and 9, September, 2020.

According to reports, turnout in the first round was only 14.23 percent, amid opposition boycotts, general voter apathy, confusion over the role the senate would have, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Turnout in the second round was estimated to be even lower than the first, with only 2,884,757 voters participating out of a registered 28,217,880.

EOHR, in its report, noted that the idea of political participation among the various segments of citizens is essential and hence Egyptian authorities need to intensify political awareness programmes for citizens.

‘Senate elections is a vital constitutional entitlement as citizens should have a general awareness of its role and the importance of participation’, it stated.

‘Citizens must have wide knowledge of the functions and specialisation of this council and its potential impact in Egypt’.

They also noted that it was crucial to introduce the procedures for casting a vote as it was apparent that voters had a limited understanding of the voting process.

Source: EOHR

Photo source: UN Women Arab States