Egypt’s Parliament unanimously passed a bill Thursday that aims to ban former members of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak’s regime from running for president for 10 years.
If approved, the measure would mean that one of the most controversial contenders in the nation’s upcoming presidential election would be ineligible.
The nation’s constitutional court will have the final say.
Ex-spy chief Omar Suleiman is among the candidates vying for the presidency in two-day elections that start May 23.
Suleiman entered the race just hours before the Sunday deadline, said Hatem Bjato, who heads the nation’s election committee.
Suleiman, who also served as vice president under Mubarak, had initially said he would not seek the presidency. But on Friday, he did an about-face, saying he felt obliged to supporters.
His candidacy has sparked controversy.
The Muslim Brotherhood has called for a “million-man” protest in Tahrir Square on Friday against the nomination of former members of Mubarak’s regime, including Suleiman and Ahmed Shafiq, the former prime minister.
bbc
Egyptian election officials have barred 10 candidates from standing in upcoming polls, including former spy chief Omar Suleiman and the Muslim Brotherhood’s Khairat al-Shater.
Ultra-orthodox Salafi Hazem Salah Abu Ismail and long-standing opposition leader Ayman Nour were also banned.
The banned candidates have 48 hours to appeal. Thirteen candidates remain.
Correspondents say the move comes as a surprise and looks set to dramatically alter the race.
Many of those banned and their supporters have expressed anger over the move and large demonstrations are expected in the capital, Cairo.
A first round of elections is due in May, more than a year after former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted.
Appeals expected
Mr Suleiman – a former ally of Mr Mubarak whose nomination has sparked protests – was apparently barred because he failed to get enough signatures to endorse his last minute candidacy, our correspondent says.
Meanwhile, the hopeful representing the hardline Islamists, Mr Abu Ismail, was ruled out because his mother has American citizenship.
Mr Shater, the leader of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, was struck off the list because of a former criminal conviction. Ayman Nour, who challenged Mr Mubarak in 2005, was also banned under this rule.
The announcement comes after growing speculation over whether candidates would be disqualified. Rumours that Mr Abu Ismail would be barred has already led to protests, while questions over Mr Shater’s eligibility caused the Muslim Brotherhood to enter a second, back-up candidate.
As a result, the Muslim Brotherhood are best covered, while the Salafists backing Mr Abu Ismail look to be the hardest hit, the BBC’s Jon Leyne reports from Cairo.
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