Hosni Mubarak has allowed more overt political activity in Egypt since 1981.

Slowly, parties and newspapers had begun to function again, and political opponents jailed by Sadat had been released.

At the time of the 1984 election, five parties are allowed to function in addition to the ruling NDP.

The left-wing opposition consists of the National Progressive Unionist Party, a grouping of socialists led by Khalid Muhi ad Din, and the Socialist Labor Party.

The Wafd resurfaces and wins a court case against its prohibition.

One religious party is licensed, the Umma.

Not officially represented are the communists, the Muslim Brotherhood, and avowed Nasserites, although all three tendencies are represented in other parties.