Egypt's Parliament approves amendments to laws of political rights

CAIRO –18 June 2020: The House of Representatives, headed by Ali Abdel-Aal, has finally approved a draft law amending some provisions of the Law Regulating the Exercise of Political Rights issued in No. 45 of 2014.

About two-thirds of the members of Parliament approved the amendment, in exchange for the rejection of six members.

This came during the Parliament's general session on Wednesday, after considering a report from the House’s Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on a bill submitted by MP Abdel Hady el-Qasabi, along with over one-tenth of the total number of lawmakers.

Due to the approach of the coming legislative elections, it was necessary to make amendments to the House of Representatives' Law, the Law Regulating the Exercise of Political Rights as well as the National Election Authority law in order to ensure their compatibility with the constitutional amendments approved in April 2019.

The draft law stipulates:
• Every Egyptian at the age of 18 must exercise political rights, such as expressing an opinion in every referendum stipulated in the constitution.
• In addition, every Egyptian has the right to elect the President of the Republic, members of the House of Representatives, members of the Senate, and members of local councils.
• The President of the Republic, members of the House of Representatives, members of the Senate, and members of local councils are elected per the provisions of significant laws.
• The National Elections Commission shall issue its decision on the grievances within 24 hours of the date of its submission.
• The National Elections Commission must consider the compatibility between justice, legality, and fairness in polling and counting.