An Egyptian rights coalition has called for a review of campaign spending and digital advertising mechanisms after uncovering widespread violations during the recent Senate election campaign, including the illicit use of mosques and public facilities for political promotion.
The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development, led by the Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights Dialogue, issued its report today on the 14-day campaign period, which concluded with the start of the electoral silence at noon on Thursday, July 31.
Based on fieldwork by 500 observers, the report documented the exploitation of places of worship, government facilities, and public institutions for campaign activities, noting a clear lack of deterrent action from the National Election Authority (NEA).
“Despite the presence of clear prohibitions, candidates and their supporters used mosques, government buildings, and public services for electoral gain,” the coalition wrote. It also noted that while the NEA had shown institutional improvements in managing the campaign process – including guidance on spending, campaign symbol allocation, and procedural transparency – significant practical gaps remained.
A key concern, the report highlighted, was the lack of genuine enforcement of spending limits.
“We documented widespread use of billboards and banners far exceeding legal expenditure ceilings,” it stated. Under Article 25 of Egypt's Law for regulating Exercise of Some Political Rights, individual candidates are limited to 500,000 Egyptian pounds (around $10,343) in spending, with a 200,000-pound (around $4,137) limit in runoffs. Party lists may spend up to double that amount for every 15 candidates.
The coalition further documented interference by executive officials who reportedly backed certain candidates, contravening election neutrality rules. It specifically noted that the Nation’s Future Party led digital ad spending with 1.6 million pounds (around $33,096), followed by the National Front Alliance.
The NEA failed to issue public statements on the legality of such spending.
Beyond campaign finance, the report also pointed to the weak enforcement of electoral silence rules. Documented breaches included televised and visual campaigning continuing into the voting period. “The laws exist, but no violations were formally recorded or penalized,” the report read.
While voter competition was limited in this Senate election, the coalition characterized it as a “political and organizational rehearsal” for the more consequential House of Representatives vote. “Addressing these violations is critical to ensure a credible process in upcoming elections,” the report concluded.
Voting for Egyptians abroad began Friday across 136 embassies and consulates. Domestic polling is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, August 4 and 5.
The Senate comprises 300 members, two-thirds of whom are elected and one-third appointed by the president. Of the 200 elected seats, half are chosen via a closed party list and half through individual races across 27 constituencies. At least 10% of seats are reserved for women.
Initial results are expected by August 12. If no clear winners emerge in some districts, runoff votes will be held August 25–26 for Egyptians abroad and August 27–28 domestically. Final results will be announced on September 4.
