The State Council administrative court decided Tuesday to refer the lawsuit filed by Hazem Salah Abu Ismail challenging Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration, which stipulates that the Presidential Elections Commission’s decisions cannot be challenged in court, to the state commissioners, who will prepare a legal opinion on the appeal. Abu Ismail was disqualified from the presidential race by a PEC ruling earlier this month.
One of Abu Ismail’s lawyers, Nasser Abdallah, called upon the court to refer the appeal to the state commissioners, who will prepare a legal opinion on the appeal before a verdict is issued.
The defense explained that it was requesting the state commissioners’ input so that a verdict would not be issued hastily in the case. It stressed that it was not attempting to prolong the transition period and disrupt the presidential elections.
The session was not attended by any Abu Ismail supporters and calm prevailed around the State Council.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
