(Jan. 17, 2014) On January 10, 2014, according to news reports, the Egyptian President was expected to approve an amendment to article 49 of Law 73-1956, on the exercise of political rights. The amendment will reportedly enhance the Law’s sanctions on crimes related to the electoral process. The new amendment will cover the following crimes: 1) duplicate voting; 2) voting fraud; and 3) voting with no legal right. The sanctions for these offenses are stiffened to include the punishment of imprisonment. (President Mansour Enhances Penalties on Crimes Related to Elections [in Arabic], AL MASRY AL YOUM (Jan. 10, 2014).)
The Council of Ministers approved the new amendment and passed it on to the President for his approval. The purpose of the revision is to prevent acts of voting fraud and promote the concept of transparency. (Id.)