The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) began Wednesday to conduct unannounced meetings with several political forces and parties to discuss the laws regulating the upcoming parliamentary elections and apportionment of electoral districts, Al-Masry Al-Youm has learned.
Informed sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the SCAF contacted the Wasat Party, the Adl Party and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, among others, over the law regulating the delimitation of electoral districts.
The same sources said this Friday and Saturday will be crucial, as party alliances for the upcoming parliamentary elections will be determined over these two days, especially with the SCAF insisting on holding parliamentary elections on time.
Many parties have suggested applying a list-based representation system, but the SCAF has insisted on keeping the individual candidate system as well and mixing the use of the two. The SCAF has also refused to cancel the 50 percent farmer and worker quota for the parliament, which political parties have deemed a bad idea as they will take part in drafting the new constitution.
The same sources also said some parties have suggested a limit on money that can be spent campaigning in the elections.
Party heads, however, denied attending such a meeting.
"I was in the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday evening to attend a special ceremony held by the Saudi Embassy, and I did not attend any meeting with the junta since its last meeting with political forces and parties," said Abul Ela Mady, head of Wasat Party.
Mohamed Gabr, a member of the Adl Party's political bureau, said on Wednesday evening that he did not attend any meeting with the SCAF either.
President of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party Mohamed Abu al-Ghar denied attending a meeting with the SCAF as well.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
