Shura Council to discuss today report by constitutional committee on the amendment of the constitution
Egypt, Politics, 3/5/2005

The Egyptian Shura Council under its Speaker Safwat al-Sherif today starts debates on the report by the constitutional and legislative committee on President Mubarak request for amending article No. 76 of the constitution under which the president of the republic would be selected through direct and secret balloting.

The committee, which agreed in principle on the amendment request, asserted that the president's request emanates from his strong belief that the people are having the final say and from keenness on enhancing democracy as the basic line of rule.

The committee said in its report that direct balloting is the best way for securing political participation, guaranteeing that the people would practice their rights and deepening democracy.

The committee asserted that the amendment request would open the door for the generations to come.

The committee asserted that the amendment request contains all guarantees under which the people would be fully free to select the president of the republic adding that nomination guarantees would help exclude persons who are motivated by personal desires and who want to be famous.

The committee also asserted that the principle of supporting the candidate by a number of the representatives of the people and local councils is followed by many countries such as France, Tunisia and Algeria. The committee rejected practices by some countries which decide that the candidate must offer a financial guarantee to guarantee that he is serious. The committee asserted that it does not favour this restriction so that financial resources may not play a role in nomination process.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak against limiting terms of office: amending the constitution is not in my interest   (3/3/2005)
  NDP Parliamentary body unanimously approves Mubarak's historic initiative   (3/2/2005)
  Clashes between Nour supporters and the Egyptian police   (3/2/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search