Egypt expresses 'deep dissatisfaction' to Netherlands over embassy attack    Global pressure mounts as Gaza fighting intensifies and death toll surges    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    At TICAD, Egypt's education minister signs pacts with Casio, SAPIX    Egypt holds special importance for our investments across diverse sectors: Japanese minister    Cairo, Tokyo sign LOI to expand educational cooperation, support for persons with disabilities    Madbouly invites Japanese firms to establish industrial zone in SCZONE    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Al-Sisi meets Qatar PM, Bahrain security adviser to discuss Gaza crisis, regional stability    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Democratic Alliance to hand SCAF parliament elections draft law
Published in Daily News Egypt on 28 - 06 - 2011

CAIRO: A delegation from the Democratic Alliance is set to hand their parliamentary elections draft law to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for study late Tuesday or Wednesday.
The draft law prepared by the 18 parties comprising the alliance stipulates a “closed unconditioned roster system” for parties and independent candidates. It eliminates the individual candidate system, which was what the ruling military council had suggested combining it with the party list system in a draft law last month.
The alliance also suggested more strict conditions on the workers' and farmers' quota to ensure that only workers and farmers run under that classification.
"We want a representative parliament that comprises qualified members because people don't need services but competent representatives," said Saad Al-Katatny, secretary general of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).
The former regime was criticized for abusing the 50 percent quota allocated for workers and farmers by fielding candidates that don't comply with the requirements. Some observers have also noted that many voters would continue to choose the candidates known for providing services to their respective constituencies regardless of their other political qualifications.
The parliament to be elected this September will choose the members of the constituent assembly that will draft Egypt's new constitution.
The parties agreed in their meeting Tuesday at the FJP headquarters on a bill of principles governing the constitution, coordinated on the mechanisms of competing in the elections within a unified roster, and demanded a "reasonable" period of time for preparing for the elections.
"Participants agreed on putting a basis for the selection of candidates from the parties of the alliance and public independent figures and on setting regulations to prevent the remnants of the National Democratic Party from making gains as well as [to prevent] influence, money and tribalism [from impacting] the elections," said a statement issued by the alliance.
Members of the alliance comprise parties from the left and far right, bringing together proclaimed liberals and Islamists. It includes Al-Wafd, Nasserist, Al-Ghad, Al-Karama, Labor, Freedom and Justice, Al-Geel, Al-Ahrar and Egyptian Arab Socialist parties, as well as, Al-Fadela and Al-Tawheed Al-Araby Salafi parties. Many are still to be recognized officially.
"Participants expressed their desire to strengthen the Democratic Alliance and continuing work to expand it and initiate dialogue with parties that did not attend previous meetings," the statement said.
The alliance, called for by Al-Wafd and the Muslim Brotherhood, held its first meeting earlier this month with the participation of 13 parties and agreed to coordinate on the elections law and to form a unified roster in the elections.
At their second meeting on June 21, they launched what they called a "bill of democratic reconciliation."
The Democratic Front, Justice, Egyptian Social Democratic and Al-Tagammu' Parties quit the alliance.
"An electoral alliance is a very early step as the elections system has not been decided yet, neither has the type of republican regime, whether presidential or parliamentary, so we won't attend meetings," said a statement issued by Al-Tagammu party.
Other liberal parties refused to enter an alliance with the FJP.
"We welcome any reconciliation on national work principles and seek the unification of all powers who participated in the revolution. But the party did yet not enter any electoral alliances," said a statement issued Tuesday by the Democratic Front Party.
The party's decision came after pressures on its leader, Osama Al-Ghazaly Harb, from members who refused to enter coalitions with FJP to "keep the party's liberal identity."
"The alliance is still open for everyone, even those who quit it," said Mohamed El-Beltagy, head of FJP's Cairo chapter.
A number of liberal parties said that they are holding talks to enter the elections in a unified roster.
While the alliance comprises parties that had declared conflicting stances on whether to draft the constitution before or after elections, participants of Tuesday's meeting said that they came to an agreement over the issue that has been dividing political players over the past few months.
"We got [comforting] guarantees about the content of the constitution and a committee will be formed to follow up on the issue," said Ayman Nour, head of Al-Ghad Party.
El-Beltagy said that he is a big supporter of the "constitution first" but they have to respect people's choice in the referendum. The Muslim Brotherhood, which El-Beltagi represented in the 2005-2010 parliament, campaigned for a ‘yes' vote in a March referendum whose results facilitate a scenario of parliamentary elections first.
He said that the party formed a communication committee to discuss with other liberal parties their stance from the alliance. He said that they didn't split from the liberal stream but have "their point of view."
Media was not allowed to attend the meeting or even enter the building. Participants were banned from speaking to the media except for a four-member media committee formed during the meeting.
The alliance is set to have their next meeting on July 4 at Al-Ghad Party headquarters to discuss the elections draft law.


Clic here to read the story from its source.