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| Version 12 | Version 13 |
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| Egypt referendum: Tight security but clashes claim lives | Egypt referendum: Tight security but clashes claim lives |
| (12 days later) | |
| A first day of voting has been taking place in Egypt on a new constitution that could pave the way for fresh elections. | A first day of voting has been taking place in Egypt on a new constitution that could pave the way for fresh elections. |
| But clashes involving supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi led to several deaths. | But clashes involving supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi led to several deaths. |
| The new charter is to replace the constitution passed under Mr Morsi before he was forced out by the army. | The new charter is to replace the constitution passed under Mr Morsi before he was forced out by the army. |
| The military wants a strong Yes vote in the two-day referendum to endorse his removal. | The military wants a strong Yes vote in the two-day referendum to endorse his removal. |
| Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote. | Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote. |
| His supporters clashed with security forces in several parts of Egypt and officials said nine people had died: | His supporters clashed with security forces in several parts of Egypt and officials said nine people had died: |
| Shortly before voting began, there was an explosion near a court building in Cairo's Imbaba district, although no casualties were reported. | Shortly before voting began, there was an explosion 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, wearing dark sunglasses and khaki fatigues, 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, wearing dark sunglasses and khaki fatigues, 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. |
| 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." | 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. | 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 lead to 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 lead to 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. |
| 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. |