CAIRO: The period of candidate registration for Egypt's parliamentary elections has been extended for the second time, and will now end on October 24, according to the Egyptian High Commission for Elections. Registration for People's Assembly and Shura Council elections began on October 12, and was expected to close today after already seeing one extension. A number of political parties asked Egypt's interim ruling Military Council to extend the registration period, as coalitions vie over finalized party and coalition lists. Authorities have reported that a large number of members of the formerly ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of the former President Hosni Mubarak government have registered for candidacy. According to the most recent laws governing the upcoming elections, two-thirds of the parliamentary seats will be based on a party list vote, with one-third of seats designated for individual candidates. Party lists may also now compete for the individual seats. Voters will fill out two ballots on election day, voting for a party ballot and an individual candidate ballot. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to begin on November 28, and will take place in several phases, with upper house elections ending on March 24, 2012. The new parliament will adjourn on March 17, 2012. The long-anticipated parliamentary elections will be the first elections held in Egypt since the fall of the former President Hosni Mubarak. They come at a critical time for Egypt's security, economy and stability as a nation. BM
