Egypt’s parliamentary elections to begin in November

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) — Egypt will hold its first elections since the ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak beginning on November 21, the Al-Ahram daily newspaper reported on Sunday.

The head of the election commission, Abdel Moaez Ibrahim, said on Saturday that voting for the lower house, the People’s Assembly, will be held in three stages beginning on November 21 and ending on January 3. As for the upper house, the Shura Council, elections will begin on January 22 and end on March 4.

The military council has, months after the end of the revolution, still not announced a date for the presidential elections. Reports say this date could be announced on September 26, although a later date is also possible.

The number two man in Egypt’s ruling military council, Chief of Staff Sami Anan, on Sunday met with representatives of different political groups to further discuss the details concerning the upcoming parliamentary elections. During the meeting, the officials considered details of the electoral system, which could delay the elections once more.

The elections come after Hosni Mubarak, who led Egypt for three decades, stepped down earlier this year after weeks of anti-government protests by crowds calling for greater democracy and respect of human rights.

Mubarak, his two sons Alaa and Gamal, former Interior Minister Habib Ibrahim al-Adly and six other former senior officials are currently on trial. They face charges over the deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters during the 18-day uprising.

According to Amnesty International, at least 840 people were killed and over 6,000 people were injured in the violent repression. During the trial’s first session, Mubarak pleaded not guilty to charges of ordering the killing of anti-government protesters and abusing his powers.