A joint statement by 27 Egyptian political groups on Sunday demanded that the presidential elections be pushed forward from June to 11 February, with the process lasting a maximum of 60 days.
The statement called for the immediate formation of a panel of parliamentary members to follow up on election procedures, as well as a panel of local civil society organizations and revolutionary groups to observe the process side by side with judicial authorities.
Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has repeatedly said it will hand over power to an elected president by late June, but many activist and political groups have been pressing for earlier polls.
"The Egyptian people are still proceeding with their revolution as a tribute to the precious blood that was shed in Tahrir Square and other areas for the sake of subsistence, freedom, social justice and human diginity," said the statement.
The groups denounced plans to draft Egypt's new constitution before power is handed over from the SCAF to a civilian government.
The statement reiterated a demand for a panel with judicial powers to investigate incidents in which protesters were killed between January and December 2011, and bringing those implicated to justice.
The groups also expressed distrust for state-run media outlets, accusing them of bias towards certain presidential candidates.
Among the statement's signatories were the Revolution Youth Coalition, the Popular Socialist Alliance Party, April 6 Youth Movement's Democratic Front, the Maspero Youth Coalition and the Wasat Party.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
