Egypt opposition alleges referendum 'fraud'
BBC News online - 23 December 2012
The referendum on the draft constitution has highlighted bitter divisions
Egypt's main opposition has demanded an inquiry into the referendum on the draft constitution, citing fraud.
Initial unofficial results indicate a "Yes" vote for a document which President Mohammed Morsi says will safeguard democracy.
The opposition says the constitution favours Islamists, and the referendum has highlighted bitter divisions.
The result is expected to be officially announced on Monday.
If the constitution passes, elections must take place within three months. In the meantime, legislative powers would remain with Mr Morsi.
State media reports of the results following Saturday's second and final round of the referendum suggest that some 63% of voters had backed the charter. Turnout was estimated at 30%.
Analysis
It's difficult to view the results of the referendum on the draft constitution without putting them in the context of the growing influence of Islamists in politics here in Egypt.
Many of those who went out to vote did not just give their backing or voice their objection to the constitution, but also to President Morsi and his group, the Muslim Brotherhood. If indeed the constitution passes it's another sign of how organised and effective Islamists are in the political process.
There's a lot at stake here. This document determines Egypt's future and the relationship between Egyptians and the presidency among the other main institutions. But the opposition says that, as it stands, the constitution is determining the future of the country on Islamists' terms.
This constitution has managed to deeply polarise the country, and it's hard to see this division going away anytime soon, no matter what the result is.
But the National Salvation Front said on Sunday the vote had been marred by "fraud and violations".
These included polling stations opening late and Islamists seeking to influence voters, the opposition said.Spokesman Amr Hamzawy told a news conference in Cairo: "We are asking the commission to investigate the irregularities before announcing official results."
Another spokesman, Khaled Daoud, told the BBC the Front would not contest the result, which it believed would be a "Yes", but he said there was "serious fraud".
The Front has complained that there was not enough legal supervision of the referendum - many judges had announced a boycott.
The opposition said before the referendum that its campaign would continue in the wake of a "Yes" vote.
Front member Abdel Ghaffer Shokr told Agence France-Presse on Sunday: "The referendum is not the end of the road. It is only one battle. We will continue the fight for the Egyptian people."
But the Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said it hoped the "Yes" vote would begin to heal divisions and bring stability.
Opponents have said the draft constitution fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that they sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year.
Constitution at a glance
- Sharia remains the main source of legislation
- Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's leading authority, to be consulted on "matters related to Sharia"
- Christianity and Judaism to be the main source of legislation for Christians and Jews
- Religious freedom to be limited to Muslims, Christians and Jews
- Limits president to two four-year terms of office
They accuse the president of
pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently
protect the rights of women or Christians, who make up about 10% of the
population.
The latest unrest began after Mr Morsi issued a decree on 22 November stripping the judiciary of the power to challenge his decisions.
After an outcry, the president revoked much of the decree, but he refused to back down on the draft constitution.
The text was rushed through by a constituent assembly dominated by Islamists.
Egypt has seen large demonstrations by both sides, which have occasionally turned violent, ever since.
Labels: Conflict, Culture, Egypt, Human Relations, Islamism, Muslim Brotherhood
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, December 23, 2012
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