Elections countdown: 28 days

A committee formed by the High Elections Commission (HEC) has been established to provide state-owned and independently owned media outlets with guidelines and standards to follow as they cover the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The committee held a meeting on Sunday, headed by Hassan Mekawy, head of the Supreme Press Council, in order to prepare for September 29, when they will start operating officially, according to the state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper.  

The committee has asked all media outlets to provide them with a plan for elections coverage.   

In a statement on Sunday, the committee said it has been dismayed by some of the coverage to date, including the interviewing of potential candidates on talk shows, which it maintains is in violation of the HEC’s guidelines for campaigning.

The committee was formed last August to monitor and evaluate daily media coverage of the presidential elections, and to recommend disciplinary action against those who violate official guidelines. It comprises several media personalities and journalists, as well as members of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union.

Parliament building undergoing renovation in anticipation of new members

In statements on Sunday, Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Magdy al-Agaty said he is paying special attention to renovating the parliament building, preparing it to receive new members by the end of the year.

Agaty said he met with employees to review the work flow and identify any problems or challenges they may be facing, independently owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reported.

Formerly known as the Ministry of Transitional Justice and National Reconciliation, the ministry was renamed as the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry in the latest reshuffle. Agaty previously served as the vice president of the State Council, and was also a member of the HEC.

Court overturns demand to ban Nour Party from elections

The Administrative Court overturned a lawsuit demanding the annulment of the HEC’s decision to accept nominations by candidates from the Salafi Nour Party.

The lawsuit was filed against the head of the HEC, based on an assertion that the Nour Party was established on a religious basis, which violates the Constitution, and, it claimed, threatens political life in Egypt.

The Nour Party is still contesting the elections, brushing off several lawsuits calling for its dissolution due to its religious mandate.

The party is reportedly only fielding two electoral lists in half of the country’s constituencies. Prominent member Shabaan Abdel Aleem told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Nour Party wants to show that it is not trying to dominate the elections, but rather is working to cooperate with other groups and movements.