Egyptian court calls off parliamentary elections

Ruling deepens political crisis between President Morsi and the mainly liberal and secular opposition

6 March 2013, 5:06 pm

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Illustrative photo of riot policemen standing guard in front of Egypt’s top court, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, December 3, 2012 (photo credit: AP/Nasser Nasser)

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian administrative court has ordered the suspension of parliamentary elections scheduled to begin next month, throwing the country’s politics deeper into confusion.

The court says in its Wednesday ruling that the law organizing the elections must be reviewed by the Supreme Constitutional Court to determine its conformity to the constitution.

The ruling further snarls Egypt’s political crisis over the divisions between Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and the mainly liberal and secular opposition. The opposition had called a boycott of the elections, saying they should not be held amid anti-Morsi protests and unrest that have shaken the country for weeks.

The multi-phase election is due to begin in late April and last for nearly two months.

The government can appeal the administrative court ruling.