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Egypt referendum: Vote to begin amid tight security | Egypt referendum: Vote to begin amid tight security |
(35 minutes later) | |
Egyptians are to vote in a referendum on a new constitution, which could pave the way for fresh elections. | Egyptians are to vote in a referendum on a new constitution, which could pave the way for fresh elections. |
The new charter aims to replace the constitution passed under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi months before he was ousted by the army. | The new charter aims to replace the constitution passed under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi months before he was ousted by the army. |
Correspondents say the military wants a strong "Yes" vote as a popular endorsement of Mr Morsi's removal. | Correspondents say the military wants a strong "Yes" vote as a popular endorsement of Mr Morsi's removal. |
Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has since been designated a terrorist group, has called for a boycott. | Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has since been designated a terrorist group, has called for a boycott. |
A huge security operation is being mounted amid fears of violence. | A huge security operation is being mounted amid fears of violence. |
The interior ministry says 200,000 police officers, 150 central security units and 200 combat groups are being deployed around polling stations on both days of voting. | The interior ministry says 200,000 police officers, 150 central security units and 200 combat groups are being deployed around polling stations on both days of voting. |
Shortly before voting began, an explosion was heard near a court building in Cairo, although no casualties were reported. | |
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says this has been a distorted campaign, with endorsements for the new constitution flooding state-run and private TV and radio. | |
However, spotting any posters from the "No" campaign is a lot harder and people have been arrested for putting them up, our correspondent says. | However, spotting any posters from the "No" campaign is a lot harder and people have been arrested for putting them up, our correspondent says. |
On Monday, the Strong Egypt party, led by prominent Islamist Abdel-Moneim Abolfotoh, said it would boycott the vote after several of its members were arrested for campaigning against the charter. | On Monday, the Strong Egypt party, led by prominent Islamist Abdel-Moneim Abolfotoh, said it would boycott the vote after several of its members were arrested for campaigning against the charter. |
'Critical moment' | 'Critical moment' |
Interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi has called the referendum the "most critical moment" for Egypt. | Interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi has called the referendum the "most critical moment" for Egypt. |
The new constitution was drafted by a 50-member committee that included only two representatives of Islamist parties. | The new constitution was drafted by a 50-member committee that included only two representatives of Islamist parties. |
The authorities maintain that the new draft delivers more rights and freedoms, and is a crucial step on the road to stability. | The authorities maintain that the new draft delivers more rights and freedoms, and is a crucial step on the road to stability. |
Veteran diplomat Amr Moussa, who headed the committee, told the BBC "everything possible" had been done "to preserve and promote democracy". | Veteran diplomat Amr Moussa, who headed the committee, told the BBC "everything possible" had been done "to preserve and promote democracy". |
"But there are articles and situations that need to be dealt with, bearing in mind the security of the state and the security of the people," he said. | "But there are articles and situations that need to be dealt with, bearing in mind the security of the state and the security of the people," he said. |
Under the new constitution: | Under the new constitution: |
Critics say the new constitution favours the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the revolution of 2011 which overthrew Hosni Mubarak. | |
It retains a provision allowing civilians to be tried in military courts, and it gives the military control over the appointment of the defence minister for the next eight years. | It retains a provision allowing civilians to be tried in military courts, and it gives the military control over the appointment of the defence minister for the next eight years. |
It also stipulates that the military's budget will be beyond civilian oversight. | It also stipulates that the military's budget will be beyond civilian oversight. |
A "yes" vote would also pave the way for fresh presidential and parliamentary elections. | A "yes" vote would also pave the way for fresh presidential and parliamentary elections. |
It now seems certain that Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief who backed Mr Morsi's removal following mass protests, will run for president. | It now seems certain that Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief who backed Mr Morsi's removal following mass protests, will run for president. |
Turnout 'key' | Turnout 'key' |
The constitution is expected to attract a resounding "Yes" vote, but the turnout is key, analysts say. | The constitution is expected to attract a resounding "Yes" vote, but the turnout is key, analysts say. |
The last charter, passed just over a year ago, was approved by 63.8%, but only 32.9% of the population voted. | The last charter, passed just over a year ago, was approved by 63.8%, but only 32.9% of the population voted. |
A much larger turnout would allow the interim government to present the vote as one that legitimises Mr Morsi's removal. | A much larger turnout would allow the interim government to present the vote as one that legitimises Mr Morsi's removal. |
Mohammed Morsi was Egypt's first democratically elected president but was deposed by the military last July. | |
He is being held in jail in Alexandria, facing several criminal charges relating to his time in office - which he says are politically motivated. | He is being held in jail in Alexandria, facing several criminal charges relating to his time in office - which he says are politically motivated. |
Many of the Muslim Brotherhood's senior leaders and the movement's supporters are also behind bars. | Many of the Muslim Brotherhood's senior leaders and the movement's supporters are also behind bars. |
More than 1,000 people have died in violence since Mr Morsi's overthrow. | More than 1,000 people have died in violence since Mr Morsi's overthrow. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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