The group complained of late accreditation to monitor the vote, limits on the amount of time it was allowed to stay in polling stations and said it was denied access to the central count.
“The restrictions are contrary to the core principles of credible and effective election observation and the Carter Center will not witness future elections in such circumstances,” the group said in a statement.
Beyond the election itself, the group said a court’s decision to dissolve the Islamist-dominated parliament and a decree from the ruling military council limiting the future president’s powers increased the risk that Egypt was not becoming the democracy that many had hoped for.
“Ultimately, a truly democratic transition requires not just elections, but the full transfer of power to those elected civilian institutions,” the group said in a statement.
Washington has said it is “deeply concerned about the new amendments to the constitutional declaration” and urged the military to make a full handover of power to a civilian government.
The Carter Center observed broad issues of inconsistent polling and counting procedures, for example fingers being inked incorrectly or judges calling different shots in their determination of ballot validity when counting votes.
The group said voter lists should be made available to the public.
“They must open up the voter list for public scrutiny so that it builds up confidence in the process,” Van den Bergh said. “Without that, it creates unnecessary suspicions and tension.
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Reuters