The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms welcomes the statement issued by the President of the Republic and affirms its

reinforcement of the independence of the National Elections Authority, guarantees of impartiality, and protection of the popular will.

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms welcomes the statement issued by the President of the Republic regarding the electoral process, considering it an important step that reflects the state’s awareness of the unique political moment the country is experiencing. At a stage where society is progressing towards completing the path of democratic transition and consolidating the foundations of public participation, clear signals supporting integrity and transparency enhance citizens’ confidence in the soundness of the procedures and the independence of the institutions tasked with managing the elections.

The presidential statement reaffirms the constitutional status of the National Elections Authority as the sole body competent to manage the electoral process, adjudicate appeals, and announce the results. The Association hopes that this statement will be understood in its proper context; it does not diminish the Authority’s independence but rather adds clear institutional support to it, granting it greater scope to exercise its role with its full powers, thus ensuring that the final results reflect the true will of the voters without influence or bias. At the same time, the statement thwarts attempts by some candidates or political entities to exploit the competitive climate by making claims about receiving official or governmental support—practices some parties have habitually used to negatively influence voter awareness. The explicit affirmation of the executive branch’s neutrality and its impartiality toward all candidates has reset the political environment and given the electoral process greater discipline and clarity of rules.

The association believes that the clarity of this principle not only protects the integrity of the competition but also allows executive bodies to work with the National Elections Authority within the framework established by the latter and in a manner that preserves its independence. This is essential for addressing violations occurring outside polling stations and confronting any conduct that could infringe upon voters’ rights or affect the integrity of the voting process. This disciplined institutional cooperation is crucial for safeguarding the electoral process, especially during periods of heightened competition and increased attempts by some to circumvent legal regulations.

In light of these developments, the association affirms that Egyptian society stands at a critical juncture in its democratic transition. The transition to a more transparent electoral environment is only complete with the development and strengthening of civil society’s roles and capabilities, whether in monitoring, observation, or documentation mechanisms. The association believes that the next phase requires more professional and in-depth civil oversight, and institutional monitoring based on rigorous methodologies, which will contribute to supporting the National Elections Authority and protecting voters’ rights to information and free choice.

Strengthening the independence of institutions, ensuring the complete impartiality of state bodies, and developing civil oversight tools are all fundamental pillars for building an electoral climate capable of clearly expressing the popular will. The recent presidential messages have advanced this path and paved the way for a more stable phase, consistent with constitutional principles.

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms affirms that protecting the free will of voters is not the responsibility of a single entity, but rather a shared responsibility between the state, its institutions, and civil society. The presidential statement can serve as an important starting point for strengthening this integration and ensuring that elections remain a fair and effective means of expressing the will of the people.