CAIRO, February 21 (RIA Novosti) - Egypt will hold parliamentary elections in four stages starting April 27, according to President Mohamed Morsi’s decree, media reported.

The vote will take place April 27-28, May 15-16, June 2-3 and 19-20, in line with the decree released Thursday by Morsi's spokesman Yassir Ali, Al Jazeera reported Thursday.

The BBC said Thursday the vote would take place in four regional stages due to a shortage of election supervisors.

According to the decree, the lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives, is to hold its first session July 6.

The election comes at a time when Egypt is divided between Morsi's supporters and a liberal-led opposition. Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement hope the election will end vocal opposition and street protests.