London: Egypt`s main opposition group, the National Salvation Front (NSF), has decided to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Spokesman Sameh Ashour said the decision was taken because of concerns the polls would not be free and fair.
It comes days after President Mohammed Morsi announced the timing of the elections, to be held over four dates, the BBC reports.
Egypt is sharply divided between Islamists and their liberal and secular opponents and a boycott of the polls threatens to deepen the split, say correspondents.
According to the report, Morsi announced new polls last weekend. NSF leader Mohamed ElBaradei swiftly called for a boycott, branding fresh elections an "act of deception".
Ashour said the NSF would not contest the polls under an election law, which critics said favours Islamists, the report said.
He said the alliance would also stay away from a meeting to promote national dialogue called by President Morsi, describing it as an insult to protesters killed in recent clashes, it added.
ANI
