Electoral Commission of Egypt said that women will not be allowed to vote if they wear niqab. Electoral Commission’s Spokesman, Omar Marwan while speaking at a press conference in Cairo on Thursday said that niqab is strictly prohibited during voting and they must remove it before voting.
Egypt officials claimed that the niqab is worn by a small minority of women and woman who covers entire body from head to toe is an ultraconservative. Last week, Cairo University, Egypt’s oldest institutes of higher education, barred lecturers from wearing the niqab.
Egypt’s parliamentary election is scheduled to be held in two phases. First round will be held on October 18 and second round will be held on November 22.
It is to be noted that this is first parliamentary elections in Egypt after democratically-elected President, Mohamed Morsi was removed.