Egypt's Supreme Election Committee has warned that all parliamentary candidates running in November elections who did not comply with the rules and regulations governing electoral campaigning would be banned from the races. Candidates are prohibited, for example, from meddling in the private affairs of other candidates or from doing anything that could be seen as "threatening national unity." The committee has also warned candidates against using public funds to finance electoral campaigns, and set an LE200,000-per-candidate ceiling on campaign spending. Candidates are also prohibited from deploying campaign funds provided by foreign or international bodies--or their local representatives--and threatening or intimidating would-be voters. Other rules laid down by the committee include a prohibition on the use of religious slogans or slogans based on discrimination. The use of "buildings or transportation services owned by the state or by the public sector" in campaign advertising is also proscribed. Other prohibitions include “the use of places of worship, schools, universities and other educational institutes in electoral campaigning.” According to the committee, headed by Chancellor Abdel Aziz Omar, candidates have the right to express themselves and participate in any activities aimed at persuading would-be voters to vote for them. Candidates also have the right to promote their platforms at private and public meetings and discussions; distribute campaign advertisements, posters and signs; and employ audio, visual and electronic media, as long as the law and the constitution--and committee regulations--are respected. The committee plans to launch an Arabic/English website--www.elections.gov.eg--to provide information to voters and candidates. According to committee officials, the website reflects the committee's desire "for upcoming parliamentary elections on 28 November to be held in a free and fair manner and without being marred by false information.” Committee officials have also decreed that electoral campaigning can formally begin following the announcement of final candidate lists and must end on the day before elections. They warned that any candidates found violating the rules would be banned from the races and referred to the Supreme Administrative Court. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
