Court refuses to review constitution

The State Council Administrative Court in Cairo rejected reviewing a lawsuit filed by independent MP Mohamed Elomda against the provisions of Article 76 of the constitution which stipulates it governs the eligibility of anyone seeking to run for presidency in Egypt . The court refused to review the case, ascertaining that it was not within its authority to do so and that the modifications amendments made to the article in 2007 adhered to the law and the constitution and were approved by the Egyptian people.

El-Omda called for a court order to review the article allowing for conditions more favourable for independent candidates to contest presidential elections. Independent candidates are expected to acquire 250 endorsements from the People’s Assembly, the Shura Council and local councils. El-Omda had argued in his lawsuit that the current stipulations contained within the article posed an unfair obstacle to independent candidates

Muslim Brotherhood MP Hussein Ibrahim maintained that the court’s decision was predictable since it had no jurisdiction over articles in the constitution, despite Article 76 contradicting numerous other articles in the constitution. He added for any modifications to articles in the constitution a third of the members in Parliament must recommend the amendment and two thirds are required to vote for it to pass. He highlighted that in all reality the Opposition members in total do not add up to a third of parliament making it impossible he emphasized that the constitution will only be changed by the people will of the people.

Former IAEA chief Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei has also called for the amendment to Article 76, where there have been speculations that he may run for presidency if the amendments follow through.