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Egyptians votes on controversial constitution | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Egyptians have begun voting in a second stage of a constitutional referendum that has sparked weeks of unrest. | |
Some 250,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to try to keep order during the referendum. | Some 250,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to try to keep order during the referendum. |
Opponents of President Mohammed Morsi have held huge protests to demand the referendum be scrapped, saying the new constitution favours Islamists. | Opponents of President Mohammed Morsi have held huge protests to demand the referendum be scrapped, saying the new constitution favours Islamists. |
Mr Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say the constitution will restore stability and democracy. | Mr Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say the constitution will restore stability and democracy. |
Tension over the document has helped to fuel weeks of violence, including clashes in Alexandria on Friday. | Tension over the document has helped to fuel weeks of violence, including clashes in Alexandria on Friday. |
But opposition politicians said they thought further violence was likely. | But opposition politicians said they thought further violence was likely. |
"I see more unrest," said Ahmed Said, head of the liberal Free Egyptians Party and a member of the opposition coalition. | "I see more unrest," said Ahmed Said, head of the liberal Free Egyptians Party and a member of the opposition coalition. |
He said there had been "serious violations" on the first day of voting and that anger towards the president was growing. | He said there had been "serious violations" on the first day of voting and that anger towards the president was growing. |
'More unrest' | 'More unrest' |
The first round took place on 15 December in 10 of the 27 provinces. | The first round took place on 15 December in 10 of the 27 provinces. |
Ballots will be cast in the 17 provinces which did not vote in a first round. | Ballots will be cast in the 17 provinces which did not vote in a first round. |
The areas are seen as more conservative and sympathetic to Mr Morsi's Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood. | The areas are seen as more conservative and sympathetic to Mr Morsi's Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood. |
Analysts suggest this will favour a Yes vote. | Analysts suggest this will favour a Yes vote. |
If the constitution passes, parliamentary elections must take place within three months. | If the constitution passes, parliamentary elections must take place within three months. |
Turnout was reported to be just above 30% in the first round. | Turnout was reported to be just above 30% in the first round. |
Unofficial counts suggested some 56% of those who cast ballots voted Yes to the draft. | Unofficial counts suggested some 56% of those who cast ballots voted Yes to the draft. |
Opposition figurehead Mohammed ElBaradei has urged people to vote against the charter. | Opposition figurehead Mohammed ElBaradei has urged people to vote against the charter. |
"We know that if this constitution is passed, there will be no stability," he said late on Thursday. | "We know that if this constitution is passed, there will be no stability," he said late on Thursday. |
Official results are not expected until Monday, after appeals are heard. | Official results are not expected until Monday, after appeals are heard. |
Egypt's latest crisis began on 22 November, when Mr Morsi issued a decree giving himself broad powers. | Egypt's latest crisis began on 22 November, when Mr Morsi issued a decree giving himself broad powers. |
The decree stripped the judiciary of any power to challenge his decisions. | The decree stripped the judiciary of any power to challenge his decisions. |
After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree. | After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree. |
But he refused to back down on the draft constitution. | But he refused to back down on the draft constitution. |
The country has seen mass demonstrations on both sides ever since. | The country has seen mass demonstrations on both sides ever since. |
On Friday, Islamists clashed with secular rivals in Alexandria, hurling stones at each other outside a mosque. | On Friday, Islamists clashed with secular rivals in Alexandria, hurling stones at each other outside a mosque. |
Police formed lines and fired tear gas to keep the two groups apart. | Police formed lines and fired tear gas to keep the two groups apart. |
The state news agency Mena quoted the health ministry as saying that 32 people had been injured. | The state news agency Mena quoted the health ministry as saying that 32 people had been injured. |
Are you in Egypt? Have you taken part in anti or pro-President Morsi demonstrations? What are your thoughts on this referendum? You can send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Egypt? Have you taken part in anti or pro-President Morsi demonstrations? What are your thoughts on this referendum? You can send us your comments using the form below. |