The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various judicial and political forces mourned on Friday the death of the head of the National Elections Authority (NEA) Lashin Ibrahim, who succumbed to coronavirus complications earlier today.

 

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed his condolences to Ibrahim's family and the members of the judicial bodies in a statement released by the ministry.

 

Shoukry added that the deceased "set an example in sincere patriotic work, and was a well-known judicial figure who contributed during his presidency of the NEA in the service of the nation via enabling citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote in many constitutional and electoral entitlements."

 

Ibrahim had tested positive for the virus 20 days ago and was receiving treatment at a private hospital.

 

A distinguished appeal court judge, he headed the NEA since 2017, overseeing presidential elections (2018), Senate and House elections (2020), as well as a referendum on amendments to the country's constitution (2019).

 

A number of judicial authorities also mourned the death of Ibrahim, including the NEA, the Egyptian Judges' Club, and the State Lawsuits Authority.

 

Egypt’s Mufti Shawki Allam extended his condolences to Ibrahim's family, saying "the deceased fulfilled his role in serving the country in an exemplary manner."

 

The Speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel Al Assoumi stressed that Ibrahim had played an important role in serving his country both in the judiciary and the NEA.

 

The head of Wafd Party, Bahaaeddin Abu Shoqqa, who also serves as first deputy in Egypt's newly elected Senate, also mourned with deep sorrow the late judge, saying he set an example for fairness in the way he ran various election and referendums.

 

Meanwile, the Mostaqbal Watan Party said the country lost a great person with an honorable patriotic history, who "served his nation with sincerity and devotion."