CAIRO - Egypt pushed back the closing datefor parties to register in a parliamentary election for thesecond time on Saturday after some politicians asked for moretime to do their applications, the head of the electioncommittee said.
Egypt's first multi-candidate vote since President HosniMubarak was toppled after 30 years in power is a crucial test ofthe ruling military's commitment to end decades of autocraticrule in the Arab world's most populous country.
Registration has been slow so far, seemingly becausecoalitions have broken down at the last minute and some partieshave had trouble raising funds.
Abdel Moez Ibrahim, the head of the committee, said in astatement carried by state news agency MENA candidates couldregister until Monday rather than Saturday. The deadline wasfirst set for last Tuesday.