Divided Egypt votes on new constitution
December 15, 2012 23:05
Egyptians, weary of a prolonged political turmoil, today began voting on a referendum over a divisive constitution that has brought Islamist President Mohammed Mursi on a confrontation with a secular opposition which accused the Muslim Brotherhood of "vote-rigging".
The two-phased polling began amidst tight security. A little more than half of Egypt's electorate of 51 million are eligible to vote in the first round while rest would be able to vote in the next phase on December 22.
President Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood have campaigned heavily in favour of the draft document, which may define Egypt for years to come. Opponents say it is poorly drafted and overly favours Islamists.
People queued in long lines at polling stations in Cairo, Alexandria, Daqahliya, Gharbiya, Sharqiya, Assiut, Sohag,Aswan, North Sinai and South Sinai.
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