Egypt to Vote Under New System
President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday dissolved Egypt’s upper house, the consultative Shura Council, and called for elections in June under a new system aimed at making it more democratic.
The council, one-third of whose members are appointed by the government, has no legislative powers but studies government financial bills and recommends new regulations to the People’s Assembly (Parliament).
The elections will be held under amended electoral rules designed to counter challenges to the validity of the law under which the council was elected nine years ago.
Political parties and independents will be allowed to stand for election to a new 258-seat council, expanded from 210 members.
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