Egypt’s Shura Council agrees election law amendments

Amendments include removing President Morsi’s right to appoint all 10 members of parliament Egypt’s Shura Council has agreed to amend a 1972 law governing parliamentary elections and a 1956 law regulating political participation. Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Justice Omar el-Sherif said that the new electoral law is “one of the most important pieces of legislation that could push the current government to achieve the objectives of the January 25 Revolution.” He said the amendments include changing the name of the People’s Assembly to the House of Representatives and removing the Egyptian President’s right to appoint all ten members of parliament.
The minister added that parties representing farmers and workers would be allocated two thirds of the parliamentary seats, while independent candidates would occupy the rest of the seats.
Meanwhile parliamentarian Khaled Nagy blamed the government for delays in drafting the law. Justice Minister al-Sherif responded saying that his ministry was keen to hear from different political influences during the drafting process.