AU Election Monitoring Mission Praises NEA's Efforts to Facilitate Electoral Process

Specioza Kazibwe Wandira, the head of the joint African Union and COMESA mission to monitor the 2024 presidential elections praised National Election Authority (NEA)'s efforts to facilitate electoral process.

"Over three days, we did not see any sabotage in polling stations," she said in a press conference, adding, "We salute the security forces and those responsible for the elections for facilitating the smooth and secure conduct of electoral process." 

Wandira also pointed out that Egypt is the only African country where elections are held over three days, which has allowed the largest number of citizens to vote.

Moreover, she said that despite the difficult political conditions in Gaza and Sudan, Egypt has committed to holding elections, which is something to be praised.

She also hailed the participation rate of women, children, and the elderly. 

Furthermore, Wandira denied any violations in the electoral process, saying: "We have confirmed the validity of the electoral process in the areas we monitored."

In addition, she added that Egypt has committed to the recommendations of the previous elections.

In the same context, Wandira explained that the most important points that the committee noted were a violation of the electoral silence in front of some committees, and preventing some observers from entering some committees despite showing their monitoring badges.

The report also praised the Egyptian government's efforts to remove obstacles for people with disabilities to access polling stations, despite the lack of readiness of some committees, which is a good practice that deserves praise.

For his part, John Kakonge, a member of joint mission said, "We enjoyed the smooth and peaceful conduct of the electoral process." 

"We were also amazed by the role of the judiciary in monitoring the electoral process, as well as by the presence of youth and women exercising their constitutional rights smoothly," he added.

Moreover, Bankayi Adeoye, African Union (AU) Commissioner for political Affairs thanked the Egyptian government for facilitating the work of the monitoring mission, despite facing some challenges.

However, he expressed his confidence in overcoming any difficulties to achieve the African Union's 2063 agenda to achieve better future for Africa, on a democratic basis that promotes growth and stability in the continent, adding that Egypt can play a pioneering role in this regard.

The conference was attended by Ambassador Hamdi Loza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, the representative of AU in Cairo, as well as a number of African ambassadors in Cairo.