The Egyptian administrative court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of a decree by President Mohammad Mursi for parliamentary elections to start on April 22.

The Egyptian administrative court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of a decree by President Mohammad Mursi for parliamentary elections to start on April 22.

The court said in a statement that the Shura Council, Egypt's upper house of parliament, did not return the amended electoral law to the Supreme Constitutional Court for final review before passing it.

The court has also referred the electoral law itself to the Supreme Constitutional Court to determine whether it conforms to the constitution. However, the government can appeal the administrative court ruling.

The decision further snarls the political crisis in Egypt, which is deeply divided between Mursi's mainly Islamist supporters, the Muslim Brotherhood movement, and a liberal-led opposition.

Under Mursi's decree, the lower house polls were due to be held in a four stage vote. The vote would be held in phases in different regions due to a shortage of poll supervisors.

The opposition had called a boycott of the elections after the adoption of an Islamist-backed constitution in December, which was widely criticized by the opposition.