Egypt is could hold new parliamentary elections in February 2014, after interim president Adly Mansour adopted a swift timetable for change.
According to a constitutional decree issued by Mansour, Egyptians will have five months to amend the constitution, suspended after Mohamed Morsi was removed from power in a military takeover, before heading to the polls three months later.
Mansour, the head of Egypt's Constitutional Court, who was picked by the military to steer the country through another period of transition, has promised a quick return to civilian rule.
Adly Mansour's decree comes after clashes between protesters and the army that have claimed at least 51 lives.
Zaid al Ali, a constitutional lawyer, said the 33-article decree was "vague" enough to allow Mr Mansour to draw out the parliamentary vote, reports Sky News.
"The way it is worded suggests they plan to have the entire election within that timeframe," he said, but warned the interim president may only require candidates to start registering within the schedule set.