Egyptian President
Mohammed Mursi has preponed the first post-constitution parliamentary
elections to be held from April with the dates clashing with the Easter
holidays, even as a leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei called
for a boycott of the polls.
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Egypt's parliamentary elections, previously scheduled to begin on April
27, have been brought forward to start on April 22, according to a
statement issued by the presidency yesterday amid calls for boycott.
The decision came after members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority had
criticised the planned timing of the elections because some voting
would take place during their Easter holiday, Ahram online reported.
The change in schedule entailed date changes in all four stages of the
anticipated elections. The first round of voting will be held on April
22 and 23. The second round will be held on May 11 and 12 in Giza. The
third round of voting will be held on May 28 and 29. The final round is
scheduled to take place on June 15 and 16. Mursi announced the initial
election plan on Thursday amid support from Islamist groups, including
the Muslim Brotherhood, the group he hails from Opposition forces, on
the other hand, have been complaining they were sidelined in talks over
setting elections laws and time frame. ElBaradei, prominent critic of
Mursi and founding member of the main opposition bloc, the National
Salvation Front (NSF), called early yesterday to boycott the elections,
saying he will not be "part of an act of deception." "I called for
parliamentary election boycott in 2010 to expose sham democracy. Today I
repeat my call, will not be part of an act of deception," ElBaradei
wrote on Twitter. However, some within ElBaradei's opposition
coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF), criticised his decision,
saying it was too hasty Mursi, in a decree last night, announced that
the vote will take place in four stages due to a shortage of election
supervisors. The new parliament will convene on July 6
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