Egypt court overturns Morsi decree,suspends elections

An Egyptian court on Wednesday overturned President Mohammed Morsis decree that had called for parliamentary elections from April 22,questioning its constitutionality,a ruling that may deepen the political crisis in the polarised country.

Egypts administrative court said it had acted because the Shura Council,the upper house of Parliament,had not returned an amended electoral law to the Supreme Constitutional Court for final review. Instead,the court said,the Shura Council had sent the law to President Morsi for ratification.

The court ordered that the elections law be referred to the Supreme Constitutional Court and suspended the Presidential decree. Media reports said that the Egyptian presidency will appeal the courts decision.

Last month,Morsi had called for House of Representatives elections to start on April 22 and conclude in late June. Morsi hoped that the four-stage vote would help conclude the countrys turbulent transition to democracy.

The main opposition coalition National Salvation Front had said that it would boycott the vote.