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| Egypt awaits constitutional referendum result | Egypt awaits constitutional referendum result |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Egypt is awaiting the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution. | Egypt is awaiting 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 electoral commission must first investigate opposition allegations of voting fraud. | But the electoral commission must first investigate opposition allegations of 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 two months and the deep polarisation in the country is likely to continue, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Cairo reports. | If the constitution passes, elections must take place within two 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 will pass to parliament's upper chamber, the Islamist-controlled Shura Council. | In the meantime, legislative powers will pass to parliament's upper chamber, the Islamist-controlled Shura Council. |
| 'Vote for stability' | 'Vote for stability' |
| State media reports of the results following Saturday's second and final round of the referendum suggested 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 suggested that some 63% of voters had backed the charter. Turnout was low, estimated at 30%. |
| The electoral commission said it was compiling results from both rounds and that no time had been set for a confirmation of the outcome. | The electoral commission said it was compiling results from both rounds and that no time had been set for a confirmation of the outcome. |
| One member of the commission, Mohamed el-Tanobly, told Agence France-Presse it was examining all the allegations of irregularities so that the referendum "really reflects the will of the Egyptian people". | One member of the commission, Mohamed el-Tanobly, told Agence France-Presse it was examining all the allegations of irregularities so that the referendum "really reflects the will of the Egyptian people". |
| The opposition National Salvation Front said on Sunday the vote had been marred by "fraud and violations". | The opposition National Salvation Front said on Sunday the vote had been marred by "fraud and violations". |
| It said these included polling stations opening late, Islamists seeking to influence voters and a lack of judges to supervise. | It said these included polling stations opening late, Islamists seeking to influence voters and a lack of judges to supervise. |
| Spokesman Amr Hamzawy told a news conference the National Salvation Front had urged the commission to investigate the irregularities but he also appeared to anticipate a "yes" vote. | Spokesman Amr Hamzawy told a news conference the National Salvation Front had urged the commission to investigate the irregularities but he also appeared to anticipate a "yes" vote. |
| He said: "We do not consider this constitution legitimate. We will continue to attempt to bring down the constitution peacefully and democratically." | He said: "We do not consider this constitution legitimate. We will continue to attempt to bring down the constitution peacefully and democratically." |
| The opposition says the draft constitution fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that were sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year. | The opposition says the draft constitution fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that were sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year. |
| It accuses the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians. | It accuses the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians. |
| 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. |
| On the Freedom and Justice Party Facebook page, its leader, Saad al-Katatni, wrote that its members were "extending our hands to all political parties and all national forces", adding: "We will all start a new page". | On the Freedom and Justice Party Facebook page, its leader, Saad al-Katatni, wrote that its members were "extending our hands to all political parties and all national forces", adding: "We will all start a new page". |
| However, the crisis is continuing to affect the country's economic status. On Monday, the ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Egypt's long-term credit rating because of the ongoing tension. | However, the crisis is continuing to affect the country's economic status. On Monday, the ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Egypt's long-term credit rating because of the ongoing tension. |
| Lowering the country's long-term rating to B- from B, it said: "A further downgrade is possible if a significant worsening of the domestic political situation results in a sharp deterioration of economic indicators such as foreign exchange reserves or the government's deficit." | Lowering the country's long-term rating to B- from B, it said: "A further downgrade is possible if a significant worsening of the domestic political situation results in a sharp deterioration of economic indicators such as foreign exchange reserves or the government's deficit." |
| 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 referendum on the draft constitution. | After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree, but he refused to back down on the referendum on the draft constitution. |