Egypt issues presidential election law

Cairo: Interim Egyptian president Adly Mansour promulgated on Saturday a law setting the stage for an election later this year to replace ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

The new law sets out the basic qualifications for candidacy and includes a expected measure criticised in some quarters that make all decisions by the electoral committee before and after the vote final and not subject to appeal.

The election is seen as a major step in a roadmap outlined by the interim authorities after the military deposed Morsi in July.

Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has emerged as Egypt's most popular political figure, has not yet announced his candidacy but aides say he has decided to stand.

With the adoption of the law, the electoral committee can now set a date for the election scheduled for this spring, presidential adviser for constitutional matters Ali Awad told a press conference.

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It stipulates that presidential candidates be university graduates at least 40 years of age who have completed their military service and have Egyptian parents.

It bans any candidates who have themselves acquired a foreign nationality, or whose parents or spouse have.

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It also stipulates that candidates need to secure the signatures of 25,000 voters from 15 provinces to qualify.

And it sets a 20 million Egyptian pounds ($2.8 million/2 million euro) ceiling for campaign spending ahead of the first round and five million pounds in case of a run-off.

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In January, voters approved by 98.1 percent a new constitution that grants the military extensive powers but lacks much of the Islamist-inspired wording of the 2012 charter adopted under Morsi.

Under the charter, Egypt is to start procedures for parliamentary elections within six months of its adoption.