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| Egypt set to declare constitutional poll result | Egypt set to declare constitutional poll result |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Egypt is due to announce the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution. | Egypt is due to announce the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution. |
| Early unofficial results suggested more than 60% of voters said "yes" to the document, which is endorsed by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. | Early unofficial results suggested more than 60% of voters said "yes" to the document, which is endorsed by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. |
| But the opposition, which says the draft favours Islamists, is demanding an inquiry into alleged voting fraud. | But the opposition, which says the draft favours Islamists, is demanding an inquiry into alleged voting fraud. |
| Egypt has seen large and occasionally violent demonstrations by the opposing sides in the past few weeks. | Egypt has seen large and occasionally violent demonstrations by the opposing sides in the past few weeks. |
| If the constitution passes, elections must take place within three months and the deep polarisation in the country is likely to continue, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Cairo reports. | |
| In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with President Morsi. | In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with President Morsi. |
| 'Vote for stability' | 'Vote for stability' |
| State media reports of the results following Saturday's second and final round of the referendum suggest that some 63% of voters had backed the charter. Turnout was low, estimated at 30%. | State media reports of the results following Saturday's second and final round of the referendum suggest that some 63% of voters had backed the charter. Turnout was low, estimated at 30%. |
| But the opposition National Salvation Front said on Sunday the vote had been marred by "fraud and violations". | |
| These included polling stations opening late and Islamists seeking to influence voters, they said. | These included polling stations opening late and Islamists seeking to influence voters, they said. |
| Spokesman Amr Hamzawy told a news conference the front as "asking the commission to investigate the irregularities before announcing official results". | |
| However, another spokesman, Khaled Daoud, told the BBC the front would not contest the result. | |
| The group has complained that there was not enough legal supervision of the referendum, after many judges boycotted the process. | |
| The opposition said before the referendum that its campaign would continue in the wake of a "Yes" vote. | The opposition said before the referendum that its campaign would continue in the wake of a "Yes" vote. |
| But the Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said it hoped the "yes" vote would begin to heal divisions and bring stability. | But the Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said it hoped the "yes" vote would begin to heal divisions and bring stability. |
| It remains to be seen whether the announcement of the final results of the referendum will be delayed to allow an investigation of the opposition's claims, our correspondent says. | It remains to be seen whether the announcement of the final results of the referendum will be delayed to allow an investigation of the opposition's claims, our correspondent says. |
| Critics of the draft constitution fails say it fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that they sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year. | Critics of the draft constitution fails say it fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that they sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year. |
| They accuse the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians, who make up about 10% of the population. | They accuse the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians, who make up about 10% of the population. |
| President Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say the constitution will secure democracy and encourage stability. | President Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say the constitution will secure democracy and encourage stability. |
| The latest unrest began after Mr Morsi issued a decree on 22 November stripping the judiciary of the power to challenge his decisions. | The latest unrest began after Mr Morsi issued a decree on 22 November stripping the judiciary of the power to challenge his decisions. |
| After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree, but he refused to back down on the draft constitution. | After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree, but he refused to back down on the draft constitution. |
| The text was rushed through by a constituent assembly dominated by Islamists. | The text was rushed through by a constituent assembly dominated by Islamists. |
| Are you in Egypt? What are your thoughts on the Egyptian constitution being approved? You can send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Egypt? What are your thoughts on the Egyptian constitution being approved? You can send us your comments using the form below. |