Egyptian press Sunday concentrated on the so-called Church Bloc and the Copts' opinions regarding such a Bloc. Newspapers also highlighted Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF) Chief Hussein Tantawi's declarations about the role of the military and the Interior Ministry in the parliamentary elections process. He also addressed reports that the investigation into the officer who allegedly targeted protestors' eyes was being covered up. Youm7 Unknown persons yesterday distributed falsified voting papers in a number of Egyptian governorates despite statements from High Elections Commission Chairman Abdel Moez Ibrahim about the prevention of such action. Ibrahim said the Commission had not received any complaints. Subcommittee heads for elections yesterday decided that women wearing the niqab must uncover to verify their identities during the voting process. “The elections' success will reflect the success of the Egyptian revolution,” said Assistant Interior Minister Refaat Kosman, adding that “both military and police institutions will protect the polling stations.” “The electoral Church lists are legitimate and resulted from sessions with Coptic activists,” said Kamil Sedeek, an official in the Coptic Church. “It is normal that the Church will support the electoral lists from the Egyptian Bloc.” “We have no relationship with the Church electoral lists,” said Ramy Kamel, a member of the Maspiro Youth Union, adding that such a move would have negative consequences. “These electoral lists are an attempt by the Church to restore a leadership role,” said Coptic activist Hana Griss. “Pope Shenouda III will punish those who drafted the Church electoral lists,” said Naguib Gebrael, the chairman of the Egyptian Union for Human Rights. Al-Ahram A judicial source today accused Cairo's Security Director of delaying the arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecution against Mohamed Sobhy al-Shenawy, the so-called “Eye Hunter,” who targeted protestors' eyes during the recent Tahrir Square uprising. “The public prosecution has not yet initiated investigations into the officer as the Interior Ministry refuses to comply with the order from the Egyptian Public Prosecutor,” the source continued. “The Muslim Brotherhood discovered that there was a conspiracy that led to the recent escalation and clashes in Cairo,” said Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie. Badie blamed the government for ignoring their advice, which he claims helped add further tension to the situation. Al-Akhbar The Administrative Court in Alexandria yesterday overturned a decision from the Egyptian Minister of Information preventing a broadcaster from wearing a hijab, a traditional Muslim headscarf. “The veil protects the dignity of Muslim women and reflects their commitment to the religion's teachings,” the Court argued. “Wearing the veil does not violate the conditions of her employment.” “Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and members of his former regime do not have the right to participate in the upcoming elections,” the High Elections Commission yesterday reported, citing the law excluding prisoners from participation in political life. Al-Masry Al-Youm Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri has completed the formation of his new government, which will be announced on Wednesday, a source told the independent newspaper. There are five ministers who will retain their positions, including Electricity Minister Hassan Younis, Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Aboul Naga, Petroleum Minister Mohammed Ghorab, Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Kamal Amr and Justice Minister Mohamed el-Gendy. According to a recent opinion poll conducted by the Egyptian University for Science and Technology, the Freedom and Justice Party will obtain 49.5 percent of the parliamentary seats, the Salafis will secure 10.7 percent, al-Wafd Party will take 9.3 percent, the Justice Party will win 6.9 percent and the National Party of Egypt will collect 3.8 percent of the seats. Al-Shorouq Potential Egyptian presidential candidate Mohamed el-Baradei today met with the military ruling council, which insisted on the continuation of Kamal el-Ganzouri as prime minister, sources yesterday told Al-Shorouq. El-Baradei offered a number of proposals designed to improve Egypt's economic and political crisis. The military council is scheduled to meet with Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh and Hamdeen Sabbahi to discuss the current situation and move past the crisis, the source reported. Al-Gomhorreya Former Vice President of the National Council of Human Rights Ahmed Kamal Aboul Magd today expressed anxiety over what he calls “religious partisanship.” He also criticized the youth who insist on the execution of their demands, adding that matters cannot be handled this way. “Kamal el-Ganzouri must pave the way for youth participation in political work, suspend military trials for civilians and refer such cases to the public prosecution,” he added.
