Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court decided on Sunday against the constitutionality of an article in one of the laws regulating parliamentary elections, which were scheduled to begin later this month, in a ruling likely to postpone the elections race. Three laws were issued to regulate the elections, only one of which was issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the constituency law. In its ruling, the court decided that Article 3 of this law is unconstitutional. The supreme court’s rulings are binding to the state and cannot be appealed. The constituency law, issued in December 2014, regulates electoral districts and was one of the final steps that needed to be taken before elections are held. Shortly before ceding power in June 2014, former Interim President Adli Mansour issued the two other laws, the political participation and parliamentary elections laws. Mansour, who now serves as head of Egypt’s supreme court had stepped down from ruling on this case. All three legislations have been met with criticism by several political parties that have called for their amendment before the elections are held. Several parties had announced their intentions to not participate in the elections, including al-Dostour party,…
