Voting is mandatory in the north African country but only 14 per cent of voters turned out for Senate elections earlier in August.

Those who fail to turn up for polls face a fine of 500 Egyptian pounds (around €26 or £24), Middle East Monitor reports.

However, observers have questioned whether Egypt’s public prosecution service has the resources to issue 54 million fines.

Writing on the move, Journalist Osama Gaweesh said: “With more than 60 per cent of Egyptians living below the poverty line according to the latest World Bank data, the spectre of the 500-pound fine in the elections haunts the poor and ordinary citizens of Egypt.”