Int'l observers urge improvement in Egypt's voting system

International observers said here on Friday that great challenges remain in Egypt's voting system, calling for more supervision and regulation during the delayed parliamentary election.

An Egyptian court on Tuesday ordered a halt of the long-awaited parliamentary polls scheduled from March 21 to May 7 due to "unconstitutional clauses" in the election laws without giving a new timetable.

It triggered public doubts over the transparency and credibility of Egypt's polling system.

Many problems are still existing in the course of elections due to lack of effective supervision and management, Dr. Loai Deeb, president of the Global Network for Rights and Development, one of the organization that will observe the election, said during a forum of international and local observation work.

Civil society organizations have a limited role in facilitating the whole election process, Deeb said, taking patronage politics as an example. "People will vote for someone who can provide them with services," he added.

Egypt has witnessed a sharply increasing unemployment rate and poor social development after two popular uprisings had toppled two presidents in less than three years.

Egyptians have voted for six times after the ouster of long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak in January 2011, however, the voting system has not got clear improvement.

It needs change and improvement, said Ayman Okeil, president of MAAT for Peace, Development and Human Rights, calling for more supervision and effective regulations and technical improvements during the parliamentary polls.

"Although the parliamentary elections was delayed, we will continue our work in the Arab country, not only for the elections, but also for the transitional process and improvement of the voting system. Endit