Egypt's Shura Council (the upper house of Egypt's parliament, currently endowed with legislative powers) has approved legislation banning serving members of the armed forces, police, and General Intelligence apparatus from contesting parliamentary polls, Al-Ahram's Arabic-language news website reported on Wednesday.

Judicial authorities, regional governors and members of Egypt's Administrative Supervisory Authority will also be banned from vying for parliamentary seats, according to the council's decision.

The Shura Council consists of 270 members, 90 of whom – including 42 Islamists – were appointed by the president in December. Of the council's 180 elected seats, 58 percent are held by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party and 25 percent by the Salafist Nour Party.