The House of Representatives' committee on defense and national security passed on Sunday a government bill amending certain provisions of the laws regulating the work of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

The amended laws included Law No. 232/1959 on the conditions for military service and promotion in the Armed Forces, Law No. 4/1968 regarding Control of State Defense Matters and the Armed Forces and Law No. 20/2014 on establishing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)

According to newly introduced amendments to Article 103 of the first law, no military officers, including those under active service or former military officers, shall run for presidential, parliamentary, or municipal elections without SCAF approval.

The officer in question may, however, challenge the council's decision, within 30 days after being notified of it, before the Judicial Committee for Officers and Personnel of the Armed Forces whose decision shall be final and incontestable before any other body.