Egyptians Vote on Final Day of Constitutional Referendum
Egyptians are voting Wednesday on the final day of a two-day referendum to decide whether to adopt a new constitution supported by the military-backed interim government.
The vote is part of a political transition plan announced after the military ousted former president Mohamed Morsi in July. If approved, the constitutional referendum would be followed by elections for a new president and parliament.
Hundreds of thousands of police and soldiers are deployed across the country to boost security, but clashes between supporters and opponents of Morsi have left at least eight people dead.
The pro-Morsi Muslim Brotherhood urged Egyptians to boycott the referendum, calling it illegitimate.
The new constitution would replace the pro-Islamic charter adopted in 2012 under Morsi, stripping away Islamist language, giving women greater rights and strengthening the power of the military.
Egypt's military toppled Morsi after opposition protesters accused him of trying to monopolize power. Authorities have cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a terrorist group and arresting many of its leaders. More than 1,000 people, mainly pro-Morsi Islamists, have been killed, while protests continue.
VOA's correspondent in Cairo, Elizabeth Arrott, said the vote is really seen as a referendum on the man likely to run for president if the constitution is approved -- army chief General Abdel Fatteh el Sissi -- who ousted President Morsi.
Arrott reported that the referendum is expected to pass but that the process has been marred by a crackdown on the opposition.
Source: Voice of America
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