Mubarak to propose changes in presidential voting

Cairo, Nov 19: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said today he would send to parliament a constitutional amendment making it easier for opposition parties to field candidates in presidential elections.

''I will submit a new request for an amendment to Article 76,'' he said in a speech at the opening of a new parliamentary session.

Article 76 sets out procedures for presidential elections.

One of the aims would be ''to reinforce the chances of parties taking part in presidential elections,'' he added.

The government had already signalled that it was planning to change the article, which under present conditions would enable only the ruling party to field a presidential candidate.

Mubarak did not say what changes he would propose.

REUTERS