Nine killed as Egypt votes on constitution

CAIRO – Nine people were killed during Egypt’s first day of voting on a new constitution Tuesday, as clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in different parts of the country. According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Health, clashes between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and security forces led to the death of four people in Sohag, four in Giza and one in Beni Soueif. The statement added that two other people died of natural causes in Cairo and 28 people were injured during the day. However, a statement from the Supreme Electoral Committee said that the first day of voting had not been affected by the incidents and that the referendum process was unaffected overall. The committee also denied reports that the voting may be extended to a third day. According to the statement, no results will be revealed until the end of the counting process and checking of all the voters lists. Egyptians started casting their votes Tuesday on the country’s new draft constitution, which is widely seen as a milestone for Egypt’s political transition after Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was ousted last July. The two-day referendum opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) in the country’s 27 governorates and closed at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT). The new constitution, to replace the one written largely by Morsi’s Islamist allies in late 2012, is a first step in the country’s future military-backed roadmap. If the draft document is approved, Egypt will go through parliamentary and presidential elections, and the post-Morsi transitional period will come to an end in mid-2014, six months at most after the referendum. Many analysts believe a sweeping yes vote may be considered as a new mandate for Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to run for presidency. Some Egyptians, who consider el-Sisi as their hero for backing the Egyptian uprising to oust Morsi in June 30, held up his posters in front of the polling stations. Two days ago, el-Sisi urged Egyptians to go to the polls, stressing that the Egyptian army would protect them against any terrorist threats. A massive security operation was underway to protect polling stations and voters, involving 160,000 soldiers and 200,000 policemen, in addition to about 650 battle groups ready to swiftly intervene in case of disorder. Shortly before polls opened, an explosive device went off outside a court in Giza, part of Greater Cairo. The blast damaged the front walls of the building and nearby cars but caused no casualties. According to state-run Ahram online, the four killed in Upper Egypt’s Sohag were involved in a clash when Morsi’s supporters fired at civilians from the rooftops in an attempt to prevent them from going to polls. Several civilians and policemen were injured and a number of Brotherhood supporters were arrested. The country’s interior ministry said it was able to arrest a number of Brotherhood members who tried to disturb the referendum process in different governorates. Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said that all Brotherhood attempts to spoil the referendum were under control. “The big voters turnout has pushed the Brotherhood to madness,” Ahram quoted the minister as saying. He went on to insist that security will be tough with anyone who tries to attack polling stations during the night. Also on Tuesday, army forces launched a security campaign in Sinai, where one Jihadist was killed and other 9 dangerous elements were arrested. However, a festive mood was felt in several polling stations where Egyptians carried flags, el-Sisi posters and played national songs. “I came here to say yes for the new constitution and for the stability of the country,” Ali Hussein, a 62-year-old pensioner, said in front of a polling station in Cairo. Some of his colleagues said that they came to stress on the principals of the Jan. 25 and June 30 revolution and to build a new stable Egypt. On Tuesday, the Egyptian stock market continued a rising trend and achieved its biggest gains since 2011, with the turnover exceeding EGP 1 billion for the second consecutive day. According to the High Electoral Committee, nearly 14,000 judges as well as about 17,000 qualified international and local organizations would oversee the third referendum since long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February 2011. Amr Moussa, leader of the 50-member constitution amendment panel, defended the new draft ahead of the voting and said the nationwide turnout was expected to be at an unprecedented high level. More than 52 million people are eligible to take part in the polls. Interim President Adli Mansour urged the Egyptians on Tuesday to participate. “Your vote is a national duty,” he said to state TV after casting his own ballot. (Xinhua)