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Egypt referendum: Vote to begin amid tight security Egypt referendum: Vote starts 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 have begun voting amid tight security 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. The military wants a strong "Yes" vote to endorse Mr Morsi's removal.
Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has since been designated a terrorist group, has called for a boycott. His Muslim Brotherhood, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote and there are 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.
Shortly before voting began, an explosion was heard near a court building in Cairo, although no casualties were reported.Shortly before voting began, an explosion was heard near a court building in Cairo, although no casualties were reported.
A huge security operation is being mounted for the two 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.
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.
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. 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.
'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.
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.
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.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 could 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.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.
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