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Egypt referendum: Second day of voting on new constitution | Egypt referendum: Second day of voting on new constitution |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Voting has resumed in Egypt in a two-day referendum on a new constitution drawn up following the ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. | Voting has resumed in Egypt in a two-day referendum on a new constitution drawn up following the ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. |
The army-backed government is seeking a "Yes" vote to endorse his removal. | The army-backed government is seeking a "Yes" vote to endorse his removal. |
With security tight, Tuesday's voting was reported to be broadly peaceful. However, nine people died in clashes involving Morsi supporters. | With security tight, Tuesday's voting was reported to be broadly peaceful. However, nine people died in clashes involving Morsi supporters. |
Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote. | Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote. |
The new charter is to replace the constitution passed under Mr Morsi before he was removed last July. | The new charter is to replace the constitution passed under Mr Morsi before he was removed last July. |
Polling stations are scheduled to close at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), although it remains unclear when results will be announced. | Polling stations are scheduled to close at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), although it remains unclear when results will be announced. |
The BBC's Sally Nabil, at a polling station in Alexandria, says the number of people queuing as voting began at one polling station was noticeably lower than at the same time on the first day. | |
However, another station dedicated to voters from outside Alexandra was busy, our correspondent reports. | |
Correspondents in Cairo also suggest that polling stations were not as busy as yesterday. The BBC's Ahmed Kilany says this picture was reflected in southern cities of Assiut and Sohag. | |
Eyewitnesses in Sohag said helicopters were in evidence in Sohag in areas where on Tuesday, violence had left four people dead. | |
The overall turnout for the poll remains uncertain. | |
Al-Hayat TV cited the justice ministry as saying it "exceeded 50% in many polling stations" on the first day. | Al-Hayat TV cited the justice ministry as saying it "exceeded 50% in many polling stations" on the first day. |
Much of the media though has been endorsing the new constitution and is widely seen as reflecting the government's point of view. | Much of the media though has been endorsing the new constitution and is widely seen as reflecting the government's point of view. |
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. |
The vote is expected to come out in favour of the new charter. | The vote is expected to come out in favour of the new charter. |
A huge security operation began on Tuesday, with some 160,000 soldiers and more than 200,000 policemen deployed nationwide. | A huge security operation began on Tuesday, with some 160,000 soldiers and more than 200,000 policemen deployed nationwide. |
Morsi supporters clashed with security forces in several parts of Egypt on Tuesday: | Morsi supporters clashed with security forces in several parts of Egypt on Tuesday: |
'Work hard' | 'Work hard' |
The referendum is believed likely to lead to elections later in the year and army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who backed the overthrow of Mr Morsi, is considered almost certain to stand for the post of president. | The referendum is believed likely to lead to elections later in the year and army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who backed the overthrow of Mr Morsi, is considered almost certain to stand for the post of president. |
Wearing dark sunglasses and khaki fatigues, he visited a polling station in north Cairo, telling guards there: "Work hard. We need the referendum to be completely secured." | Wearing dark sunglasses and khaki fatigues, he visited a polling station in north Cairo, telling guards there: "Work hard. We need the referendum to be completely secured." |
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 charter favours the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the 2011 revolution. | Critics say the new charter favours the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the 2011 revolution. |
Mohammed Morsi, who was Egypt's first democratically elected president, is being held in jail in Alexandria, facing several criminal charges relating to his time in office. He says they are politically motivated. | Mohammed Morsi, who was Egypt's first democratically elected president, is being held in jail in Alexandria, facing several criminal charges relating to his time in office. He says they 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. |
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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