Egypt's opposition coalition to boycott parliamentary election

Egypt's main opposition coalition said Tuesday it will boycott the upcoming parliamentary election, which could deepen political divisions, dpa reported. The National Salvation Front, a grouping of liberal and secular parties, said the elections, due to start on April 22, lack transparency. The group demanded amending the Islamist-drafted constitution, securing the Sinai peninsula - which had seen attacks by militants against police stations - as well setting a minimum and maximum wage. Their stance comes after prominent opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei urged for boycotting the poll. The group also rejected taking part in a national dialogue to be held on Tuesday by President Mohammed Morsi to discuss guarantees the election is fair. "The Front called for a national dialogue that confirms the independence of state authorities from political groups," said group member Sameh Ashour. The group has been calling on Morsi to replace the Islamist-backed government with a nonpartisan cabinet. They also accuse Morsi of tightening his Muslim Brotherhood group's hold on power and failing to revitalize the ailing economy. Islamists accuse the opposition of wanting to oust Morsi, Egypt's first civilian president. Egypt has been without a lower house of parliament since June, when the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that the electoral rules were unconstitutional. The previous election had produced a vast majority for Islamist lawmakers. The Shura Council, or the upper house of parliament, temporarily holds legislative authority until the legislature is elected.