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Egypt referendum: Vote under way amid tight security | Egypt referendum: Vote under way amid tight security |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Egyptians are voting amid tight security in a two-day referendum on a new constitution that could pave the way for fresh elections. | Egyptians are voting amid tight security in a two-day referendum on a new constitution that 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. |
The military wants a strong Yes vote to endorse Mr Morsi's removal. | The military wants a strong Yes vote to endorse Mr Morsi's removal. |
His Muslim Brotherhood, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote. Five people have died in clashes. | |
One person was killed during an anti-referendum protest in Bani Suef, south of Cairo, the governor there told the BBC. | |
Three people were killed in clashes with security forces in the Upper Egypt city of Sohag while a further death was reported in Nahia, in the Giza district of Cairo. | |
Shortly before voting began, an explosion took place near a court building in Cairo's Imbaba district, although no casualties were reported. | Shortly before voting began, an explosion took place near a court building in Cairo's Imbaba district, although no casualties were reported. |
A huge security operation is being mounted for the two days of voting. Some 160,000 soldiers and more than 200,000 policemen are being deployed nationwide. | A huge security operation is being mounted for the two days of voting. Some 160,000 soldiers and more than 200,000 policemen are being deployed nationwide. |
Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited one polling station in north Cairo, telling guards there: "Work hard. We need the referendum to be completely secured." | Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited one polling station in north Cairo, telling guards there: "Work hard. We need the referendum to be completely secured." |
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. | 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. |
Democratic or not, she says, the referendum is seen by many as more than a ballot on a new constitution - it is widely viewed as a verdict on the removal of Mr Morsi. | Democratic or not, she says, the referendum is seen by many as more than a ballot on a new constitution - it is widely viewed as a verdict on the removal of Mr Morsi. |
State-run media were on Tuesday describing the vote as a "democratic ceremony" - a term widely used during the Hosni Mubarak era but not heard since he was ousted in the revolution of January 2011. | State-run media were on Tuesday describing the vote as a "democratic ceremony" - a term widely used during the Hosni Mubarak era but not heard since he was ousted in the revolution of January 2011. |
'Every vote' | 'Every vote' |
One voter in Cairo, Salah Mustafa, told the BBC: "Compared with the document that we had last year, which was a really horrible constitution, there's a lot of rights." | |
But Mohammed Soudan, a spokesman for the Brotherhood's political wing, said most people were boycotting the vote, adding: "This is a message that we are not recognising this kind of new power." | But Mohammed Soudan, a spokesman for the Brotherhood's political wing, said most people were boycotting the vote, adding: "This is a message that we are not recognising this kind of new power." |
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. |
Interim President Adly Mansour said after voting: "The people must prove to dark terrorism that they fear nothing." | Interim President Adly Mansour said after voting: "The people must prove to dark terrorism that they fear nothing." |
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 it is a crucial step towards stability. | |
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 2011 revolution. | Critics say the new constitution favours the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the 2011 revolution. |
A Yes vote could pave the way for fresh elections and it now seems certain that Gen Sisi, who backed Mr Morsi's removal following mass protests, will run for president. | A Yes vote could pave the way for fresh elections and it now seems certain that Gen Sisi, 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. |
Mohammed Morsi was Egypt's first democratically elected president but was deposed by the military last July. | 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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