Egypt's parliament approved amendments on Wednesday which critics say will help supporters of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extend their dominance over the chamber in elections expected this year.
The election law amendments mean that 50% of those elected to the 596-member House of Representatives will now be chosen through closed party lists, up from 20%, with the rest elected as individual candidates.
All of those currently elected on the closed-list system belong to a pro-Sisi coalition. The president's right to appoint up to 28 members remains unchanged.