The People’s Assembly on Monday began discussions on the amendment of some provisions of the presidential elections law, based on suggestions made by two MPs that were referred to the legislative committee for consideration.
People’s Assembly Speaker Saad al-Katatny said the fifth and final paragraphs of Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration state the draft law must be presented to the Supreme Constitutional Court, which will issue its decision within 15 days from the date it was presented.
Katatny said the court’s decision is binding for all state authorities, and that the discussion will be held at the People's Assembly.
The proposed articles will be presented, then the draft law will be voted on, Katatny said. He said MPs will be given the chance to propose amendments, deletions or additions.
MP Mahmoud al-Khodairy, head of Parliament’s legislative committee, said last week that Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration regulating the powers and immunity of the Presidential Elections Commission will not be changed.
Some MPs and politicians have expressed concerns about the immunity granted to the commission, worrying that none of its decisions will be challengeable and that this will open the door for corruption and vote-rigging.
According to the article, “The commission’s decisions will be final and carry the force of law, and will not be subject to objections from any party, in the same manner as it is forbidden for the decisions to be stopped or canceled.”
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
