CAIRO: The nomination window for Egypt’s 2015 parliament will close Saturday, 12 days after opening for hopeful candidates; all aspiring representatives have been three additional days to submit their medical reports.
On Aug. 31, the High Elections Commission (HEC) invited Egyptians to declare their candidacy for the new House of Representatives, adding that the final results of eligible hopeful candidates will be announced in the beginning of October.
The HEC had previously stated that a candidate who underwent a medical check for the last parliamentary elections, is not obligated to provide a medical check report during 2015 elections, but since reveresed the decision.
The total number of hopeful candidates since Sept. 1 as of Friday reached 5,037 candidates and only five lists, announced HEC chairperson Ayman Abbas in a statement Friday.
The election will be held in two phases; the first round beginning Oct. 17 and 18 for expatriates. Meanwhile the Egyptians inside their country will vote on Oct. 18 and 19 in these governorates.
The expats in the second phase will cast their votes Nov. 21 and 22, while domestic Egyptians will vote on Nov. 22 and 23.
Run-off elections of the first phase will be carried out Oct. 26 and 27 for expats and Oct. 27 and 28 inside Egypt.Meanwhile, run-offs in the second round will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for expats and Dec. 1 and 2 in Egypt.
Egypt’s House of Representatives will comprise of 596 members, with 448 to be elected as independents, 120 through the winner-take-all party lists system, with 28 seats to be appointed by the president, HEC said.
Egypt’s parliament was consists of two houses: Shura Council (upper house) and Peoples’ Assembly (the lower house); however, Shura Council cancelled and the Peoples’ Assembly was named the House of Representatives in 2014.