Latest in Tag: referendum Highlight
Latest in Tag: referendum
Egypt vote contrasts with thuggery, rigging of past
By Jonathan Wright / Reuters FAHMEEN, Egypt: The thugs stayed home, the judges resumed their seats with confidence and the police officers waved observers through into the polling stations with a smile and a polite “Welcome.” Voters in a constitutional referendum in Egypt on Saturday could hardly believe it. Men in their 50s said they were …
77 pct vote yes on referendum
By Tamim Elyan CAIRO: Over 14 million out of 18 voted in favor of the constitutional amendments on Saturday, the supreme judicial committee supervising the referendum said on Sunday. Out of about 45 million Egyptians eligible to vote, 18,366,764, or 41.19 percent, hit the poll stations on Saturday. According to the committee, 14,192,577 voted yes (77.2 …
Analysts fear a PA dominated by Brotherhood and NDP following yes vote
By Heba Fahmy CAIRO: The majority of Egyptians voted “yes” to the constitutional amendments, paving the way for parliamentary and presidential elections, the first of which are to be held in six months. Analyst Nabil Abdel Fattah, a researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies speculates that the Muslim Brotherhood and the remnants of …
Smooth voting process in Ain Shams, no violations reported
By Mai Shams El-Din CAIRO: Voting for the constitutional amendments saw an unprecedented turnout for the first time in Ain Shams as voters waited in long queues in front of polling stations to cast their ballots. “This is like Eid for all of us, you can see everyone smiling and not annoyed from waiting in this …
Many Egypt Christians vote no, fearing Islamists
By Sarah Mikhail CAIRO: Many Egyptian Christians say they voted on Saturday to reject proposed constitutional amendments in a referendum because they fear hasty elections to follow may open the door for Islamist groups to rise to power. If the amendments are approved, parliamentary elections will take place in late September followed by presidential elections in …
Referendum marks first-time voting experience for most
By Safaa Abdoun CAIRO: While the youth was credited for sparking the January 25 Revolution, the older generation is making sure to keep the momentum and push for democracy as they stood in long queues to vote on the referendum on constitutional amendments, most of whom for their first time. The voting experience was a first …
ElBaradei attacked as he arrives at poll station
CAIRO: Presidential hopeful and former head of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei was attacked Saturday by what he called “organized thugs” when he arrived at a polling station in Moqqatam with his family to vote on amendments to the constitution. ElBaradei was attacked by a mob of over a thousand people who splashed water on …
Polling stations to remain open beyond 9 pm if necessary, says Judicial Commission
By Marwa Al-A’asar CAIRO: The Supreme Judicial Commission overseeing voting on a public referendum on constitutional amendments has extended polling until all voters inside and waiting outside polling stations have cast their votes, not setting a specific deadline, according to TV reports. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Coalition for Monitoring Elections, made up of 123 civil society organizations …
Egyptians vote in Shoubra in smooth process
By Heba Fahmy CAIRO: In Shoubra, Egyptians headed to the polling stations on Saturday to vote in a public referendum on constitutional amendments, amid a process described by many as “smooth” and democratic. Polling stations in Shoubra were set up in nine public schools around the district. Each classroom included a polling booth consisting of four …
Egyptians to vote on constitutional amendments
By Heba Fahmy CAIRO: Egyptians are scheduled to go to the polls Saturday to vote yes or no on the constitutional amendments, in a step viewed by many as Egypt’s first true democratic experience. “This is the first time in Egyptian history voters would be participating in a political process that is both credible and transparent,” …
Voters consider different scenarios ahead of referendum
By Marwa Al-A’asar CAIRO: Before heading to polling stations for the referendum, Egyptians are mulling the different scenarios for an outcome of a yes or no majority on the proposed constitutional amendments. In case citizens cast a unanimous yes, amended Article 189 allows for a new constitution to be drafted, replacing the current one created …
Opposition currents call on voters to reject constitutional amendments
By Tamim Elyan CAIRO: A number of opposition parties and movements called Tuesday on Egyptian voters to reject constitutional amendments ahead of a referendum scheduled for March 19, demanding a new constitution drafted by an elected constituent assembly. The opposition said that the 1971 constitution has been rendered null and void by the January 25 Revolution …
Army warns against obstruction of voting on referendum day
By Tamim Elyan and Marwa Al-A’asar CAIRO: A military source warned against holding any protests or sit-ins during the referendum on the constitutional amendments. The source told state-TV that the law criminalizing thuggery will be imposed on anyone who attempts to obstruct the voting process on the referendum day set for March 19. On March 9, …