Assessment of the legislative sector in Egypt

This report presents a technical and institutional analysis of each. The People"s Assembly is profiled first, with discussion given to the Assembly"s constitutional and legal framework, internal structure, administrative organization and personnel, central functions, and activities undertaken between 1971 and 1992. A similar but less extensive profile is then made of the Shura Council. A final section presents recommendations, which include the following. The effectiveness of the People"s Assembly could be enhanced through training of members, improved access to information, an institutionalized process for permitting members to present grievances from their constituency, and increased supervision of other branches of government. The Assembly"s internal structure could be improved by trimming the administrative staff while strengthening research and analysis, improving committee staff capabilities, modernizing library facilities, and providing incentives for staff to complete computer and language training. Institutional strengthening could be effected through reexamination of the existing committee structure and increased use of hearings and fact-finding commissions.