CAIRO, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) — Thousands of Egyptians rallied Friday in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, calling on the military rulers to transfer power as early as possible and ban members of the disbanded former ruling party from running in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The protesters demanded the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) draw a specific timetable to hand over power by April 2012. They also called for drawing up a minimum salary standard and cancelling the military trials of civilians.
Nearly 20 political groups joined the rally.
The SCAF took over power in February when ex-president Hosni Mubarak resigned under pressure from anti-government protests.
The country will start parliamentary elections on Nov. 28. According to the state media, some 9,500 candidates have submitted their applications either as independents or party lists, but the election authorities have not announced the final number of candidates.
The specific date for the presidential election has not been set.