Only 60 local NGOs have applied to monitor the presidential election scheduled for 23 and 24 May, according to Egypt's flagship newspaper, Al-Ahram.

This is the smallest number of NGOs requesting to observe elections in recent years.

While 300 Egyptian NGOs monitored the parliamentary election in 2005, this number rose to 400 in the 2010 election. In the first parliamentary election held after the 25 January revolution, the number reached 450.

Al-Ahram attributed the decline to the procedures adopted by the government to stop the flow of foreign funds to NGOs.

The total number of NGOs stood at 26 at the beginning of the registration period and rose to 60 after the National Human Rights Council encouraged more NGOs to apply.

Last December, Egypt raided several NGOs in the country, and some NGO workers are await trial for allegedly obtaining illegal funds to foment unrest in Egypt and incite protests against the nation's military rulers.

Last month, Hatem Bagato, the Presidential Elections Commission secretary general, said civil society organizations registered by the Social Solidarity Ministry would be able to monitor the presidential vote.

Later, the commission opened the door to international NGOs to monitor the vote.

Last month, the Foreign Ministry invited concerned authorities in 45 countries to dispatch representatives to witness Egypt's experience in administering the presidential election, as opposed to monitoring it.

In coordination with the commission, the Foreign Ministry also extended similar invitations to 20 organizations and international and governmental agencies of which Egypt is a member.