Egypt begins campaigning

Official campaigning has begun in Egypt's first parliamentary elections since a popular uprising overthrew President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Egypt started the campaigning on Wednesday under provisional military rule. The first of three stages of voting is to begin on November 28th.

More than 40 political parties have so far announced their participation.

The newly elected parliament is expected to draft a new constitution.

On Tuesday, the provisional government released a proposal stating its desired principles for the constitution.

The proposal calls for establishing a democratic country, but it gives the military more power than an elected government, allowing it to make decisions on military-related spending and legislation.

An Islamist party says it will reject the proposal, saying it betrays the will of the revolutionaries.

Some members of the public, fearing a rise of Islamic fundamentalism, are moving to set rules for the constitution ahead of the election.

But the provisional government's proposal is drawing criticism for reflecting the military's efforts to secure its own interests.

Thursday, November 03, 2011 10:34 +0900 (JST)