This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6498573.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Divisive Egypt reforms approved | Divisive Egypt reforms approved |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Controversial amendments to Egypt's constitution have been approved by 75.9% of those who voted in Monday's referendum, government officials say. | Controversial amendments to Egypt's constitution have been approved by 75.9% of those who voted in Monday's referendum, government officials say. |
| Turnout for the vote was 27%, the justice ministry said, although some independent groups put it at 5%. | Turnout for the vote was 27%, the justice ministry said, although some independent groups put it at 5%. |
| The country's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, boycotted the vote and criticised the amendments as paving the way for a police state. | The country's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, boycotted the vote and criticised the amendments as paving the way for a police state. |
| A senior Muslim Brotherhood official said the result was forged. | A senior Muslim Brotherhood official said the result was forged. |
| The 34 constitutional amendments include a ban on the creation of political parties based on religion, and sweeping security powers. | The 34 constitutional 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, but opponents say it will be easier to rig future elections. | The government says the changes will deepen democracy, but opponents say it will be easier to rig future elections. |
| OFFICIAL RESULTS 9,701,833 people voted, 27.1 % of the country's 35,865,660 eligible voters'Yes' vote 75.9%, 'no' vote 24.1% | |
| President Hosni Mubarak hailed the result on Monday. | President Hosni Mubarak hailed the result on Monday. |
| "The people are the real winners in this referendum. What has been achieved does not represent the end of the road," he said. | "The people are the real winners in this referendum. What has been achieved does not represent the end of the road," he said. |
| Mr Mubarak promised further political, economic and social reforms but gave no specific details. | Mr Mubarak promised further political, economic and social reforms but gave no specific details. |
| Mohamed Habib, the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, said the government had made up the referendum result. | Mohamed Habib, the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, said the government had made up the referendum result. |
| "It is 100% forged... They are lying," he told the Reuters news agency. | "It is 100% forged... They are lying," he told the Reuters news agency. |
| Sweeping powers | Sweeping powers |
| Under Egyptian election laws, a low turnout does not affect the outcome, as a simple majority of votes cast is required for victory. | Under Egyptian election laws, a low turnout does not affect the outcome, as a simple majority of votes cast is required for victory. |
| Even before the official results were announced, the government papers were celebrating a successful referendum, BBC Cairo correspondent Heba Saleh says. | Even before the official results were announced, the government papers were celebrating a successful referendum, BBC Cairo correspondent Heba Saleh says. |
| Their front pages gloat about what they describe as massive participation and the failure of the opposition boycott. | Their front pages gloat about what they describe as massive participation and the failure of the opposition boycott. |
| It is a different picture in the private and opposition papers which report a low turnout of 10% or under, our correspondent says. | It is a different picture in the private and opposition papers which report a low turnout of 10% or under, our correspondent says. |
| Religious ban | Religious ban |
| Officials say 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. | Officials say 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. |
| 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' | 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' |
| In addition, the amendments ban all religious-based political activity and parties, a blow to the Muslim Brotherhood - an Islamic party banned in Egypt which represents the strongest opposition force. | In addition, the amendments ban all religious-based political activity and parties, a blow to the Muslim Brotherhood - an Islamic party banned in Egypt which represents the strongest opposition force. |
| The Brotherhood ran in the legislative elections in 2005, with candidates standing as independents, and won 88 seats in parliament. | The Brotherhood ran in the legislative elections in 2005, with candidates standing as independents, and won 88 seats in parliament. |
| The amendments also allow the adoption of a new election law and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box. | The amendments also allow the adoption of a new election law and do away with the need for judicial supervision of every ballot box. |
| Opposition groups have voiced fears 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. | Opposition groups have voiced fears 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. |
| Human rights group Amnesty International has called the changes the greatest erosion of human rights since a state of emergency was declared after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat 26 years ago. | Human rights group Amnesty International has called the changes the greatest erosion of human rights since a state of emergency was declared after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat 26 years ago. |