The student union elections all over state-owned Egyptian universities are to start on Thursday, as top universities are banning its students from raising any political agendas or demands.

The Ministry of Education vowed to administer the elections, and to be as transparent and objective as possible.

President of Cairo University, Mohamed Al-Shakht, said that students interested in nominating themselves in the elections can start applying starting Thursday.

On 4 November, preliminary lists of candidates will be published. Rejected candidates can appeal on 5 November, as final candidates’ list will be published on 7 November.

On 8 November, candidates can publicise their programmes, following the electoral process and the results.

Winners should be announced on 11 November.

In 2015, the Ministry of Higher Education took a decision to repeat the electoral process, which sparked waves of protests and demonstrations.

Universities faced a wave of exploitation since July 2013 after the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. Numerous clashes have taken place between students supporting the ousted president and security forces.

The Supreme Council of Universities and the Interior Ministry signed a protocol regarding the securing of university campuses. The agreement stipulated that security forces be present outside campuses, and would only interfere on campuses after the permission of the universities’ chairmen, following the Cabinet’s decision issued in November 2013.