Egyptian presidential vote set for May

CAIRO, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The first presidential election in Egypt since Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power a year ago is set for the end of May, a ministry announced.

An advisory committee last month proposed a May 16 election, about one month earlier than the deadline spelled out by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

Mohammed Attiya, minister of parliamentary affairs and local development, told Egypt's al-Ahram news service that presidential elections were set for the end of May. He didn't outline a specific date, however.

Egypt has had a series of parliamentary elections since late last year. The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party is leading the legislative assembly alongside conservative Islamist group al-Nour.

Egyptians have expressed frustration at the pace at which SCAF authorities are handing power to a civilian-led administration. They had pledged to have elections within six months of the Egyptian revolution, which began in early 2011.

The Muslim Brotherhood, before the establishment of its political arm, said it wouldn't nominate anyone for president or endorse any military candidates.

A constitutional court in Egypt announced last week it would start the presidential nomination process in March.