CAIRO: Egyptian youth coalitions are aiming to participate in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for November. The election will be Egypt's first since a popular uprising ousted the country's 30-year ruler and his regime earlier this year. The minimum age requirement for parliamentarians in the People's Assembly, the lower house of parliament, has been reduced to 25 years under a new law. Therefore, Egypt's Youth Revolution Coalition is discussing participating in the upcoming elections by nominating prominent members of the coalition. This particular coalition includes young people from the April 6 movement, Freedom and Justice Party, Muslim Brotherhood, al-Tagammu and Karama parties, and supporters of Mohamed el-Baradei. Most of the coalition's members are in their late twenties. Coalition youth are studying the necessary qualifications for parliamentary candidates. Political activists Amr Ezz, Mohamed Qasas, Moaz Abdel Karim, Khaled Talima, Ziad Olimy, Khaled Said and Basem Kamel are the most suggested names to run for parliament under the group's name. Mohamed Awad, the coordinator of the Freedom and Justice Movement, said political activists Asmaa Mahfouz, Mohamed Awad, Ahmed Gendy, Ahmed Masry, and Mohamed Nasar will participate in the elections. Mahfouz, a member of April 6 and the Egyptian Trend party, said she will participate in the elections. However, she has not decided whether she will run under the auspices of the Egyptian Trend party or as an independent. “My electoral program is being prepared. It will include two parts: social services and political issues,” said Mahfouz. Mahfouz said she decided to participate in parliamentary elections after citizens encouraged her. “People will support the suitable candidate,” she said. Ahmed Maher, the coordinator of the April 6 movement, said the group will not participate in the upcoming elections. Maher said that April 6 will focus on holding awareness campaigns about the role of the People's Assembly and monitoring electoral process, as this will be Egypt's first election since the country's January 25 Revolution. Maher also said April 6 is about to launch a “Black and White circles” campaign. This campaign will reveal candidate who were members of the now-dissolved but formerly ruling Democratic Party and members of the former regime members and set specific standards for candidates who will serve the people.
