The Egyptian government has proposed that the military council announce a constitutional declaration complementary to the previous one announced in March, after a national referendum. The new declaration would include amendments on the mechanism for the transition of power, guarantees on the constitutionality of any steps taken, and new criteria for forming the committee of 100 figures charged with writing the constitution. Informed sources say the government is inclined to hold presidential elections while simultaneously preparing the constitution, so as to guarantee a swift and democratic transition of power. They also said that independent candidates running in the parliamentary elections would not be allowed to join political parties except after their parliamentary session has ended. Also, the founding constitutional committee would be formed in one month instead of six, and would complete the writing of the new constitution in six months. Should the committee fail to meet the deadline, the military council would form another committee for that purpose. The new criteria for the founding committee would have parliament nominate 40 percent of its members from parliament or outside of it, with the other 60 percent to be nominated by syndicates, civil society organizations and universities. At least five percent of its members would be youths, and five percent would be women. The sources also said that the government would, at the end of this month, announce that the election is slated to start in mid-November. In March, the military council announced a constitutional declaration of 63 articles, including those put forward for a referendum on 19 March. Article 60, which would be amended by the new proposed declaration, stipulates that the military council call on the elected members of the People's Assembly and the Shura Council to meet within six months of their election to elect a founding committee of 100 members to prepare a new constitution within another six months. The constitution is to be put forward for a referendum within 15 days following its completion, and be enacted once the people approve it. Translated from the Arabic Edition
