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Egypt lays out presidential election rules
Egypt`s ruling military laid out the rules governing the country`s first presidential elections since a popular uprising ousted Mubarak.
Only Egyptian nationals born to Egyptian parents and who do not hold dual citizenship can qualify for candidacy, according to the new election law issued by military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.
Hopefuls must be endorsed by at least 30 members of
parliament or 30,000 eligible voters.
They must have completed their military service and will
not qualify if married to a foreign citizen.
Parties represented in parliament can nominate one candidate for the election which will take place over one day.
No date has yet been set for the presidential poll but the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which took power when Mubarak was ousted, has said it will take place no later than the end of June.
Under the terms of the new law, the election commission
overseeing the process will be chaired by the head of the
Supreme Constitutional Court.
The law was published on January 19 but it was only made
public today.
General Mamduh Shahin, a member of the ruling military
council, said that the law was issued by SCAF ahead of
parliament`s first session, which was held January 23.
"Parliament has the right to review all laws or declarations issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces," Shahin told reporters.
He said that the registration date for candidates is yet to be decided by the election commission.
Earlier this month, SCAF said that candidates for the presidency can start registering from April 15.
Frontrunners in the presidential race include former Arab
League chief Amr Mussa, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who was
foreign minister under Mubarak, as well as Abdel Moneim Abul
Fotuh, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
PTI