LOC23:30
20:30 GMT
CAIRO, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- The Egyptian High Election Committee (HEC) on Sunday evening invited eligible voters inside and outside the country to elect the new lower house of parliament in two stages this October.
The first stage, covering 14 governorates, will be held on October 18 and 19 and the runoff to be held on October 27 and 28 when need be, HEC Chairman Justice Ayman Abbas said at a press conference.
"Expatriates belonging to these governorates are scheduled to cast their votes on October 17 and 18 with the runoff being held on October 26 and 27, if necessary," he pointed out.
"The second stage of voting will be held in Cairo and 12 other governorates on November 22 and 23 with the runoff being slated for December 1 and 2.
"Expatriates belonging to these governorates are scheduled to cast their votes on November 21 and 22 with the runoff being slated for November 30 and December 1," he went on.
Hopefuls are invited to present their credentials to HEC's branches at their respective electorates as of September 6 until September 12, Justice Abbas said, noting that the regulations relating to financing for electoral campaigns will be available on HEC's website soon.
He added that the Committee made its utmost to set the controls for running an orderly, smooth and transparent electoral process as per the provisions of the new constitution.
He voice hope that the candidates and voters will abstain from any violence and commit themselves to law while campaigning and voting.
Earlier today, Minister of Interior Maj.-Gen. Majdy Abdulghaffar said the security personnel were put on alert for the parliamentary elections that will complete the third and last obligation under the road-map to transition after the referendum on the new constitution and the presidential elections.
Egypt's parliament dates back to 1866 which made the country one of the earliest countries that adopted the parliamentary system. (end)
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