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Egypt votes on divisive reforms Egypt votes on divisive reforms
(about 3 hours later)
Egyptians have begun voting in a key referendum on constitutional changes which the opposition criticise as paving the way for a police state. Egyptians are voting in a key referendum on constitutional changes which the opposition criticise as paving the way for a police state.
The 34 amendments include a ban on the creation of political parties based on religion, and sweeping security powers.The 34 amendments include a ban on the creation of political parties based on religion, and sweeping security powers.
The government says the changes will deepen democracy in the country and help in the fight against terrorism.The government says the changes will deepen democracy in the country and help in the fight against terrorism.
Secular and Islamist opposition groups have called on supporters to boycott the referendum. Secular and Islamist opposition groups are boycotting the changes, saying they make it easier to rig future elections.
If approved, the changes will allow the drafting of a new anti-terrorism law to replace the emergency legislation in place since 1981, giving police wide powers of arrest and surveillance. Correspondents say there has been little sign of the "millions of voters heading to ballot boxes" reported by the official news agency, Mena.
They will ban the establishment of religious parties, allow the adoption of a new election law and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box. "What's the use? All referendums are fixed," said one taxi driver quoted by AFP news agency.
KEY AMENDMENTS Article 5:Bans political activity/parties based on religionArticle 88: Removes judicial supervision of electionsArticle 179: Invokes special powers to fight terrorism Analysis: 'Permanent emergency' "Egyptians know what's going on but we can't say anything or we'll be arrested and put in jail," he added.
After almost two hours of voting at one Alexandria polling station, election officials are quoted as saying that 53 people out of more than 3,500 registered voters had voted.
Under Egyptian election laws, a low turn-out would not affect the outcome, as a simple majority of votes cast is required for victory.
The government says the changes will allow the drafting of a new anti-terrorism law to replace the emergency legislation in place since 1981, giving police wide powers of arrest and surveillance.
In addition, the amendments ban all religious-based political activity and parties, a blow to the already-banned Muslim Brotherhood, which represents the strongest opposition force.
They also allow the adoption of a new election law and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box.
Basic freedomsBasic freedoms
Voting began at 0600 GMT, although a number of the country's 10,000 polling stations were reported to have opened late. About 36m people are registered to vote.Voting began at 0600 GMT, although a number of the country's 10,000 polling stations were reported to have opened late. About 36m people are registered to vote.
Hundreds of riot police were deployed in Cairo.Hundreds of riot police were deployed in Cairo.
President Hosni Mubarak and other government officials say the changes will give a boost to democratic practice in the country.
Opposition lawmakers say the changes will undermine basic rightsThe BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says for many in the opposition this is a black day in Egypt's history as they say the changes spell the death of the constitution as the main guarantee of liberties and democracy.Opposition lawmakers say the changes will undermine basic rightsThe BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says for many in the opposition this is a black day in Egypt's history as they say the changes spell the death of the constitution as the main guarantee of liberties and democracy.
The opposition says the changes will consolidate dictatorship, and that watering down judicial supervision of elections will make fraud easier.The opposition says the changes will consolidate dictatorship, and that watering down judicial supervision of elections will make fraud easier.
They are also deeply uneasy about the wording of the articles on the new anti-terrorism law because it will be possible to bypass the constitutional guarantees protecting basic freedoms.They are also deeply uneasy about the wording of the articles on the new anti-terrorism law because it will be possible to bypass the constitutional guarantees protecting basic freedoms.
The new constitution appears designed to reverse the advances made in the last election by the Muslim Brotherhood, now the country's largest opposition force, our correspondent says.
Human rights group Amnesty International has called the changes the greatest erosion of human rights in 26 years.Human rights group Amnesty International has called the changes the greatest erosion of human rights in 26 years.