CAIRO, Feb 22 (Aswat Masriya) – The name of steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz, one of the most prominent politicians during the era of former president Hosni Mubarak, was not included in a list of approved candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.  

Ezz had applied to run for elections on February 8 in Menoufia, north of Cairo, where dozens gathered at the time outside the Menoufia court in objection to his prospective election bid.

Ten candidates have been approved in Menoufia, but Ezz is not among them.

Mohamed Hamouda, Ezz's lawyer told Aswat Masriya that he will appeal Ezz's elimination before the Administrative Court.

The Supreme Elections Commission (SEC), which is overseeing the election race, is releasing today the lists of candidates approved, through branch committees across the country. 

Once the names of the approved candidates are made public, a three-day window in which people can appeal SEC's decisions starts.      

Ezz was one of the main politicians and businessmen on the scene towards the end of Mubarak's 30-year rule. He served as secretary-general of the now defunct National Democratic Party, the ruling party under Mubarak.

He came to be known as a steel tycoon after becoming the chairman of Ezz Steel, the largest steel company in the country. He vacated his managerial position at the company in 2011.

Following the 2011 uprising, Ezz was arrested and faced charges in five different court cases. He was handed several prison sentences but all of them were overturned by Egypt's Court of Cassation.

He was released in August after being ordered to pay on installments hundreds of millions of pounds as a steel monopoly fine.  

The upcoming parliamentary elections are scheduled to begin in March, with the first phase taking place on March 22 and 23 and the second phase running from April 26 to 27.

Several parties have already announced their intentions to not participate in the elections, including al-Dostour, Strong Egypt and the Popular Current parties.