Egypt constitution likely to be approved

23/12/2012| IslamWeb

Early indications show that Egyptians have approved a new draft constitution after a final round of voting in a referendum, despite opposition criticism of the measure as divisive.

An official from the Muslim Brotherhood's political party, which backs President Mohamed Morsi, said on Saturday that after nearly 4 million votes had been counted there was a majority of 74 percent in favor of the constitution.

Exit polls from the opposition National Salvation Front also showed the constitution passing, an official said.

Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna, reporting from Cairo, said that early indications are that the draft constitution will be approved.

"It appears at the moment that in the region of 68 percent of voters have approved the draft constitution, some 32 percent have voted against," said Hanna, adding that only 35 percent of Egypt's roughly 50 million eligible voters turned out for the poll.

The referendum committee may not declare official poll results until Monday, after hearing appeals.

The December 15 first round returned 57 percent in favor of the constitution, according to unofficial data. The vote was split over two days as many judges refused to supervise the ballot.

Backers of Morsi say the constitution is vital to move to democracy, nearly two years after a revolution that overthrew authoritarian ruler Hosni Mubarak. It will provide stability for a weak economy, they say.

Vice president resigns

Egypt's vice president has announced his resignation on the day of a referendum on a new constitution, state TV reported.

Mahmoud Mekki's resignation on Saturday was announced just hours before the end of voting in the second and final round of a referendum on the constitution.

Fifty-eight-year-old Mekki, a career judge, said that he intended to quit once the charter was adopted.

The new constitution eliminates the post of vice president.

PHOTO CAPTION

 

Egyptian election workers count ballots at the end of the second round of a referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of president Mohammed Morsi at a polling station in Giza, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012.

Aljazeera