Okasha is the second high profile candidate who had his parliamentary paper’s rejected within the space of a week after steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz was also barred from running in the elections
The controversial TV host Tawfik Okasha’s parliamentary candidacy papers were rejected on Wednesday by Egypt’s High Electoral Committee (HEC).
A review of his bank account by the HEC in Daqahliya revealed that Okasha’s bank account was invalid. As a result of his invalid account, the HEC decided to exclude him from running in the parliamentary elections.
On Monday, HEC also rejected steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz’s parliamentary candidacy because his national post office account was frozen on Friday.
Ezz's national post office account -- where he had his money deposited -- was frozen by decree of the prosecution and the country's elicit gains authority.
Ezz opened the post office account after a Cairo criminal court in August ordered the seizure of his funds and prohibited him from opening new accounts at any bank.
The HEC requires parliamentary candidates to have a valid bank account so that funds coming in and out can be monitored if needed.
The final nominees for parliamentary elections are expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The first phase of Egypt’s parliamentary elections will start on 17-18 October for Egyptians abroad and 18-19 October for voters inside Egypt.
The second phase of the elections will start on 21-22 November for Egyptians abroad and 22-23 November for Egyptians in Egypt.
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