CAIRO: Egypt's premier has said delaying a September parliamentary election would give parties more time to prepare, as the nation debates its political future with early polls seen likely to benefit Islamists. “Postponing the election would give the chance for a larger number of new political parties to develop,” said Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, quoted by state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram Sunday. However, “whatever the time of the election, we will exert all efforts to make it a success,” Sharaf said, in answer to questions at an event hosted by tycoon and politician Naguib Sawiris. His comments come at a time of mounting calls by liberal and secular groups to delay the election until a new constitution is drafted. The “Constitution First” campaign has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that a delay to the poll would keep the ruling military in place for longer. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took power on February 11, after three weeks of nationwide anti-government protests forced president Hosni Mubarak out of office. In March, 77 percent of Egyptians voted in favour of holding an election first and having the new parliament draft a fresh constitution.
