Egypt permits NGOs to monitor presidential vote
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E-mail Xinhua, April 24, 2012
Egyptian Higher Presidential Elections Commission (HPEC) opened the door to international NGOs to monitor the country's upcoming presidential election, with a deadline of May 2 for applications, the official news agency MENA reported Monday.
The decision gave the green light to foreign election- monitoring institutions, human rights watchdogs and pro-democracy organizations, said the report.
According to the decision, the applicants have to get a permission from the panel, which put some conditions that NGOs should fulfill, among which is to have experience in monitoring electoral processes.
The applicants should submit a list of their representatives' posts and nationalities and the permits will be issued by May 7, MENA reported.
A member of the electoral panel will head the committee that handles the applications. Both interior and foreign ministries are supposed to have delegates in the committee.
The committee comprises 11 media experts and veteran professionals. Representatives from four private satellite TV channels and the National Council for Human Rights will be included later in the committee.
The accepted NGOs are asked to prepare an impartial report based on facts and submit it to the electoral panel following the vote, according to the report.
Egypt is set to hold its presidential vote on May 23 and May 24. The military rulers have pledged to cede power to an elected civilian government by the end of June.
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