Berlin, December 10, 2023,
The Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF )has released a report titled “Elections Without Competitiveness,” coinciding with the commencement of the voting process for the 2024 Egyptian presidential elections within the Arab Republic of Egypt. The report sheds light on the violations committed by Egyptian authorities during the initial stage of the 2024 presidential elections, specifically the “Endorsement of Citizens for Presidential Candidates.” From the onset of the first day, this stage has been marked by the prevention and obstruction of potential candidates and their supporters from exercising their right to run for office and vote. The Law and Democracy Support Foundation regards this stage as the cornerstone upon which the entire electoral process is built, determining who will be able to contest the elections and the nature of the competition. During this period, the foundation’s researchers documented and observed 569 instances of violations across 25 governorates within the Arab Republic of Egypt and 8 countries via embassies or consulates. The violations included preventing the issuance of endorsements due to delays and intentional slowdowns, deliberately placing names at the bottom of the attendance reservation list to prevent citizens from issuing endorsements, closing notary offices without issuing authorizations, claiming electronic malfunctions, and mobilizing thugs by the ruling political party in front of notary offices to prevent citizens from exercising their right to run and vote through physical assault, verbal abuse, threats, and intimidation.
