Polls open in Egypt's constitution referendum

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Egyptians voted on Saturday in a referendum on a new constitution shaped by Islamist allies of Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi and which his liberal rivals say deepens divisions in the nation.

Soldiers joined police outside polling stations to secure the vote after deadly protests. Demonstrations erupted last month after Mursi issued a decree expanding his powers and then fast-tracked the draft constitution through an assembly dominated by his Muslim Brotherhood and its allies.

"The sheikhs told us to say 'yes' and I have read the constitution and I liked it," said Adel Imam, a 53-year-old queuing to vote in a Cairo suburb. "The president's authorities are less than before. He can't be a dictator."

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The vote has been split into two rounds, each covering different regions with the second next week, because not enough judges agreed to oversee the ballot.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/15/uk-egypt-politics-open-idUKBRE8BE02W20121215

[gtar100]

1. On a Saturday? Are they crazy!?

Why wouldn't they do it on a day when most people are working and then close the polls shortly after most people just got out of work? You'd think they actually wanted people to vote. I don't get it.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Egyptians vote into the night in divisive referendum

Voting has been extended by four hours in Egypt's controversial referendum on a new constitution, due to the strength of the turnout.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20737073

[David__77]

3. The constitution has some important rights in it.

The references to religion aren't more prominent than in the current constitution. The problem lies in whether or not the constitution will be the effective law.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Egyptians narrowly back constitution, say rival camps

(Reuters) - Egyptians voted narrowly in favour of a constitution shaped by Islamists but opposed by other groups who fear it will deepen divisions, officials in rival camps said on Sunday after the first round of a two-stage referendum.

Next week's second round is likely to give another "yes" vote as it includes districts seen as more sympathetic towards Islamists, analysts say, meaning the constitution would be approved.

But a close win, if confirmed, would give Islamist President Mohamed Mursi only limited cause for celebration as it would show a wide rift in a country where he needs to build consensus on tough measures to fix a fragile economy.

The Muslim Brotherhood's party, which propelled Mursi to office in a June election, said 56.5 percent backed the text. Official results are not expected till after the next round.


http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/16/uk-egypt-politics-idUKBRE8BD0CC20121216