A file photo of the Journalists Syndicate headquarters in downtown Cairo.
The heated race has been postponed four times due to insufficient turnout and is finally underway.
A minimum quorum of 25 percent of eligible members is required for the elections to be valid.
Candidates have mostly pledged financial and social reforms for journalists.
According to media reports, the syndicate has taken strong measures to ensure a smooth, organised, and transparent voting process at its headquarters in Downtown Cairo.
The committee overseeing the elections confirmed that the voting and counting processes will be conducted under complete judicial oversight across 23 polling committees to uphold transparency and credibility in announcing the results.
If a run-off is needed for the presidency, it will be held the following day from 3 to 7 PM (Cairo Time).
Special arrangements were made to assist elderly members and those with disabilities, including dedicated support teams and elevators to facilitate movement within the syndicate building.
Prominent candidates
Eight candidates are vying for the post of Syndicate President. These include Khaled El-Balshy, the syndicate's current head, Abdel Mohsen Salama, former head of Al-Ahram institution and a current member of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, Sayed El-Eskandarani and Noura Rashed (Al Gomhuria newspaper), Talaat Hashem (Misr El-Fatah newspaper), Mohsen Hashem (El-Geel newspaper), Mohamed Badawi (Al-Ghad newspaper), and Mohamed El-Maghraby (Al-Shaab newspaper).
However, observers believe the real contest is expected between El-Balshy and Salama.
Both have promised to improve journalists' financial situation and tackle longstanding social and institutional challenges.
In addition to the eight candidates for the position of Syndicate President, 43 other journalists are competing in the same elections for the six available board seats, bringing the total number of candidates in this election to 51.
Candidates represent various journalistic institutions: national, partisan, and independent.
The syndicate holds its general elections biannually to elect a new president and six new members of the 12 who compose the syndicate's board, which otherwise serves for four years.
The outcome of these elections is anticipated to influence the direction of the syndicate, particularly in advocating for journalists' rights, enhancing professional standards, and navigating the broader media landscape in Egypt.
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