LEGISLATION WATCH- All constitution, all the time: Constitutional changes designed to lengthen presidential terms and bring back the upper house of parliament are set to be signed off today by the House of Representatives’ Legislative and Constitutional Affairs committee.

A proposed tweak could see El Sisi in office until 2038: Members of parliament are looking at changes to the proposed amendments that could theoretically allow President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to hold office until 2038, Youm7 reports. Rep. Mohamed El Etmany reportedly suggested that any lengthening of presidential terms should be applied retroactively. This would mean adding an extra four years (two for each of El Sisi’s two terms) before he is then eligible to run for an additional two six-year terms under the transitional clause. If passed, that would mean that El Sisi’s current term would end in 2026, instead of 2022. He would then be eligible to run in the two following presidential elections.

Background: Prior to El Etmany’s suggestion, the amendments would have allowed El Sisi to remain in power until 2034. The proposal to amend presidential term limits comes as part of a package of several other proposed constitutional amendments, including bringing back the Shura Council, granting the president the authority to appoint judges and the prosecutor general, and deepening the role of the Armed Forces, among a host of other suggestions.

Women’s election quota could be slashed as well: Proposed amendments that would introduce a quota for women members of parliament could also be watered down to 15% from the original suggestion of 25%, according to Youm7. There had been opposition to the quota from parliament and the business community.

We could be heading to the polls for a referendum as soon as next week: The House Legislative and Constitutional Committee will put the amendments to a vote today before referring them to a plenary session, according to Youm7. A final general assembly vote is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. House Speaker Ali Abdel Aal has said he expects the national referendum on the amendments (which will only be necessary if they receive parliamentary approval) to take place on 22-24 April, according to Ahram Online.