CAIRO: A temporary constitutional declaration is expected to be announced later this week, a military source told local newspapers on Monday. The announcement follows the results of Saturday's referendum on constitutional amendments, of which 77 percent of Egyptians were in favor. The source added that due to these results, parliamentary elections will be conducted prior to presidential, and that the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF) held a session on Monday to discuss the Constitutional Declaration. The declaration would include the eight articles amended on Saturday as well as other articles intended to help lead the country during the transitional period, until power is turned over to a civilian leader. The source said as the majority of Egyptians approved the amendments, the upcoming parliamentary elections and the Shura council elections will be held in September, and presidential elections are slated for later this year. These will be conducted according to the amended articles. It is not confirmed officially if the parliamentary elections will be conducted in September, or according to the previous date which was determined by the SCAF to be held in June. Opposition parties and analysts said that holding parliamentary elections in June could lead to a parliament dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and formerly ruling National Democratic Party, as other parties would not have time to prepare for elections by June. The source confirmed that once the country`s rule is handed over to a civilian president, this president and the Speaker of the Parliament and the Shura Council will have to draft a new constitution and a referendum would be conducted after. This comes in line with a prior statement by the deputy prime minister Yehia El Gamal, who said that a constitutional amendment would include the amended articles along with other articles to be announced soon. BM
