Egypt's National Election Authority announced late on Tuesday that it had removed the name of ex-military chief Sami Anan from the voters' database, saying he has committed a "grave breach" of the election law by having his name added to the electoral roll while serving as officer on the army's reserve list.
Anan's exclusion came hours after the military said it was investigating him for breaching laws of military service by running for office before ending his service and without seeking the army's permission.
Egyptian law does not allow military personnel to vote in elections or to run for political office.
The army says Anan, who has retired, is still listed as a reserve officer and thus was required to end his service and seek authorization from the army before seeking office.
It also said in a statement earlier on Tuesday that Anan had forged official which claimed he had ended his service in order to run for election.
Following the army's announcement, Anan's campaign organizers said he had halted his presidential bid and that he has been arrested.
The Egyptian military prosecution has issued a media gag order on covering the investigations into Anan.
Elections will be held on March 26-28, with a possible run-off vote scheduled for April 24-26.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1187/288694/Egypt/-Presidentia...
