Egypt’s High Court Rejects Draft Election Law

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Egypt’s High Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional a draft election law. The court released a statement saying it ”has returned the draft parliamentary electoral law to the Shura Council after making five observations on five articles which it found unconstitutional.” The articles deemed unconstitutional include a ban on former members of the now-disbanded National Democratic Party, supervised voting for expatriates, and the new delineation of electoral districts, which the Court said violates the principle of fair opportunities. “The law should heed fair representation of the population,” said the court.

President Mohamed Morsi is expected to announce in a few days a date for the parliamentary elections planned for April. It is unclear whether the delay in passage of the new law will delay these elections. However, the Council must complete revisions on the law by February 25.