Egypt

Home / Data Tools / Country View / 100 / Egypt
Share SHARE

Change country

Export
Question Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 -The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. Investing the party’s funds in issuing newspaper or in exploiting publishing or printing houses, shall not be considered a commercial aspect, in applying the present article, if its basic aim is to serve the party’s purposes. The party may not accept any donation, privilege, or benefit from an alien, a foreign or international entity, or from any juridical person even if it enjoys the Egyptian nationality.

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art 11'the party may not accept any donation, privilege, or benefit from an alien, a foreign or international entity, or from any juridical person even if it enjoys the Egyptian nationality.'

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977

    Art 27 'It is prohibited to receive any contribution or support in cash or in kind for the election campaign from any Egyptian or foreign juridicial person, or from any foreign state, agency or international organization or any corporation where any foreign person holds an equity stake or from any foreign natural person.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 -The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. Investing the party’s funds in issuing newspaper or in exploiting publishing or printing houses, shall not be considered a commercial aspect, in applying the present article, if its basic aim is to serve the party’s purposes. The party may not accept any donation, privilege, or benefit from an alien, a foreign or international entity, or from any juridical person even if it enjoys the Egyptian nationality.

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 -The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. 

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Political Parties Organization Law No. 40 for the year 1977 as Amended by Law No. 12 for the year 2011,  Article 11:
    "The party's resources consist of the contributions of its members, the donations of Egyptian natural persons, and also the proceeds of investing its money in the non-commercial aspects determined by its internal system...."
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source

    But: Art 26 ' The candidate shall keep the PEC posted on all amounts deposited in his account as well as sources and aspects of expenditures, on such dates and through such procedures as are set by the PEC. No expenditures on the election campaign shall be made beyond this account. The PEC shall allocate the remaining balance on that account to contributions on a pro-rate basis, in accordance with such procedures as may be specified by the PEC.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 -The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. Investing the party’s funds in issuing newspaper or in exploiting publishing or printing houses, shall not be considered a commercial aspect, in applying the present article, if its basic aim is to serve the party’s purposes. The party may not accept any donation, privilege, or benefit from an alien, a foreign or international entity, or from any juridical person even if it enjoys the Egyptian nationality.

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Decree-Law No. 45/2014 Promulgating the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights

    Article (35) Bearing in mind the provisions of Article (26) of this Law, it is prohibited to receive any contributions or support in cash or in kind for the purpose of financing electoral campaigning for a candidate, or influencing public opinion towards a certain opinion in a subject put to referendum, from any of the following:

    1- An Egyptian or foreign legal person.

    2- A foreign state or body or an international organization.

    3- An entity whose capital is participated in by a natural or legal person who is Egyptian or

    foreign, or any foreign body regardless of its legal form.

    4- A foreign natural person.
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 'The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. '

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art 21 .5 'prohibition of using State-owned, public- sector or public-business- sector owned buildings, facilities and means of transportation in the election propaganda in any form'

    Source:  Presidential Decision No. 22/2014
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
  • CodeYes, for both natural and legal persons
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
  • Code Shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
  • CodeYes, specific limit for candidates
  • Comment

    Decree-Law No. 45/2014 Promulgating the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights, Article (25)

    The maximum amount to be spent by each candidate in electoral campaigning under the

    individual-seat system is 500,000 pounds, and 200,000 pounds in the run-off stage.

    The limits established above shall be doubled for each 15 candidates in the same list.

  • Source
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    'Further, the law provided that each candidate could receive contributions in cash or in-kind, but only from Egyptian nationals, and limited the value
    of individual donations to two per cent of the maximum expenditure.'

    Source EU EOM 2014

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    'Further, the law provided that each candidate could receive contributions in cash or in-kind, but only from Egyptian nationals, and limited the value
    of individual donations to two per cent of the maximum expenditure.'

    Source EU EOM 2014

    Article (26): 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign.'

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment

    Political Parties Organization Law No. 40 for the year 1977 as Amended by Law No. 12 for the year 2011,  Article 11

  • Source
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 26 'Each candidate may receive contribution in cash or in-kind from Egyptian natural persons or from the party nominating him, provided that contributions from any natural person shall not exceed 2 % of the maximum expenditure allowed on the election campaign. The candidate shall open an account in local currency at one of the banks designated by the PEC, wherein he shall deposit all contributions in cash received thereby as well as the financial assistance obtained from the state and any allocations of his own money. he candidate shall keep the PEC posted on all amounts deposited in his account as well as sources and aspects of expenditures, on such dates and through such procedures as are set by the PEC. No expenditures on the election campaign shall be made beyond this account. The PEC shall allocate the remaining balance on that account to contributions on a pro-rate basis, in accordance with such procedures as may be specified by the PEC. Parties shall be under obligation to notify the Political Parties Affairs Committee of the contributions exceeding LE 1,000 each received thereby within the three months prior to the date set for balloting, which notice shall be given within the five days following receipt of the contribution.' 

    Source Law No. 174 for the year 2005

Export
Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
  • CodeNo public funding available
  • Comment
  • Source
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    'The Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression of every person. t also guarantees freedom of the press, and of the media, both public and private. It mandates the independence of State owned media and imposes requirements of neutrality in the presentation of content in such media. Press freedom, however, is not unlimited and may be restrained if what is sought to be published is criminal in nature, such as incitement to violence, or is harmful to individuals.'

    Source EU EOM Final Report 
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
  • CodeEqual
  • Comment
  • Source

    Decree-Law No. 45/2014 Promulgating the Law on the Regulation of the Exercise of Political Rights, Article 29
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    'The Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression of every person. t also guarantees freedom of the press, and of the media, both public and private. It mandates the independence of State owned media and imposes requirements of neutrality in the presentation of content in such media. Press freedom, however, is not unlimited and may be restrained if what is sought to be published is criminal in nature, such as incitement to violence, or is harmful to individuals.'

    Source EU EOM Final Report 2014
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (13)The party-owned premises and establishments as well as its funds shall be exempted from all general and local taxes and duties.

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source

Export
Question Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art11.6. 'prohibition of receiving funds from abroad, from any foreign person or any foreign or international body or its representative in the country for spending on election campaigns or for payment to voters to abstain from casting their votes or so doing in a particular way.'

    Source Law No. 38 1972
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 22'The ceiling amount a candidate may spend on the electoral campaign shall be twenty million pounds. In the case of a second round election, the ceiling amount shall be five million pounds.' 

    Source Presidential Decision No. 22/2014
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?
  • Code he ceiling amount a candidate may spend on the electoral campaign shall be twenty million pounds. In the case of a second round election, the ceiling amount shall be five million pounds.
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 22'The ceiling amount a candidate may spend on the electoral campaign shall be twenty million pounds. In the case of a second round election, the ceiling amount shall be five million pounds.' 

    Source Presidential Decision No. 22/2014
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source

    'The potential to achieve a level playing field for the campaign was prejudiced by insufficient campaign finance regulation, particularly in circumstances where there was evidence that third parties were contributing outside the spending limits set by the PEC. The dominant visibility of the poster campaign of candidate Al Sisi demonstrated a weakness of oversight operating in his favour.'

    Source EU EOM Final Report 2014
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source

Export
Question Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 11 -The resources of the party shall be formed of its members’ subscriptions, the financial support it receives from the State, and the donations of Egyptian natural persons, as well as the proceeds of investing its funds in the non-commercial aspects defined in its statute. Investing the party’s funds in issuing newspaper or in exploiting publishing or printing houses, shall not be considered a commercial aspect, in applying the present article, if its basic aim is to serve the party’s purposes. The party may not accept any donation, privilege, or benefit from an alien, a foreign or international entity, or from any juridical person even if it enjoys the Egyptian nationality.

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art 26 ‘(…)Parties shall be under obligation to notify the Political Parties Affairs Committee of the contributions exceeding LE 1,000 each received thereby within the three months prior to the date set for balloting, which notice shall be given within the five days following receipt of the contribution’

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (28): 'The candidate shall submit to the PEC, within 15 days from the announcement of the election result, a statement including all revenue he has obtained, its source and nature, and amount and aspects of this expenditure on the election campaign.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (28): 'The candidate shall submit to the PEC, within 15 days from the announcement of the election result, a statement including all revenue he has obtained, its source and nature, and amount and aspects of this expenditure on the election campaign.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Political Parties Organization Law No. 40 for the year 1977 as Amended by Law No. 12 for the year 2011,Article 11
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source

    Political Parties Organization Law No. 40 for the year 1977 as Amended by Law No. 12 for the year 2011,Article 11
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
  • CodeEMB | Auditing agency
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article (29): 'The Central Audit Agency shall audit the election campaign accounts of candidates, provided it shall submit a report on the findings of its audit to the PEC within 15 days from the date of referring these accounts thereto.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
  • CodeAuditing agency | Other
  • Comment
  • Source

    Article 12 'The party’s funds shall not be expended except on its proper purposes and aims according to the rules and procedures compromised in its statute.
    The party shall deposit its funds in one of the Egyptian banks, and shall hold regular account books comprising the party’s revenues and expenditures according to the rules to be determined in its statute. The Central Audit Agency shall periodically audit the books and documents of the party’s revenues an expenditures account and its other financial affairs, to ascertain the soundness of the party’s resources and legitimacy of its funds expenditure aspects. They party shall enable the Agency to carry out the forgoing. The said Agency shall draw up an annual report on the financial standing and affairs of the party and notify the head of the Political Parties Affairs Committee of such a report.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
  • CodeCarry out investigation | Impose sanctions
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art 12 'The Central Audit Agency shall periodically audit the books and documents of the party’s revenues an expenditures account and its other financial affairs, to ascertain the soundness of the party’s resources and legitimacy of its funds expenditure aspects. They party shall enable the Agency to carry out the forgoing. The said Agency shall draw up an annual report on the financial standing and affairs of the party and notify the head of the Political Parties Affairs Committee of such a report.'

    Law No. 174 for the year 2005

     

    Presidential Elections Law No 22. for the year 2014, Article 49
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
  • CodeFines | Prison | Forfeiture | Loss of elected office
  • Comment
  • Source

    Art. 49 A’ fine of not less than ten thousand pounds and not more than five hundred thousand pounds shall be imposed in the following cases:1. Whoever spends on the electoral campaign any amounts others than those deposited in the bank account referred to in Article (23) of this Law, or spends the deposited amounts in the said bank account for non-electoral campaign purposes.2. Whoever exceeds the prescribed ceiling amount for expenditure in the electoral campaign’

    'Art. 56 'A fine of not less than ten thousand pounds and not exceeding two hundred thousands pounds, or either penalty shall be imposed on whoever violates the provisions of Article 24 of this law, together with the confiscation of the received donations.'

    Article 68 'Whoever commits any of the following acts shall be punishable by a fine of no less than ten thousand pounds and no more than one hundred thousand pounds:I- Violation of the periods established under Articles (24) and (30) or under the third clause of the fifth paragraph of Article (37) of this Law.II- Spending funds in electoral campaigning which are not recorded in the bank account determined by HEC.III- Electoral campaigning in violation of the regulations contained in Article (31) of this law.IV- Violation of the prohibition prescribed in Article (34) of this Law. The Court may rule  in addition to the fine to remove the offender from his/her position for a period of five years, if his/her act influenced the result of the elections. V- Accepting a donation higher than the amount prescribed in Article (26) of this Law. The court shall rule that the funds in excess of that amount be confiscated.

    Article 69 ‘Whoever commits an act violating the provisions of Article (35) of this Law shall be punishable by imprisonment and a fine of no less than one hundred thousand pounds and no more than one million pounds. The court shall rule that the funds involved in the crime be confiscated.'

    Source:  Presidential Decision No. 22/2014

    Art. 25. 'If any officials in political parties, any of the party members or staff accept or directly receive money or advantages without any legal right from Egyptians to implement or practice any activity related to the party, the punishment is imprisonment. Imprisonment also takes place if money or benefits are from foreigners or any foreign bodies. In any cases the court requests to confiscate property derived from crime.'

    Source Law No. 40 of the year 1977

Disclaimer: Maps presented do not imply on the part of the Institute any judgement on the legal status of any territory or the endorsement of such boundaries, nor does the placement or size of any country or territory reflect the political view of International IDEA. Maps are used in order to add visual clarity to data.