Egyptians vote on constitution

Voters lined up to cast their ballots for a new constitution on Tuesday as the government implemented heightened security measures around Egypt. The draft charter, being voted on over two days, has dropped much of the Islamist language contained in the previous constitution adopted under Morsi last year. Supporters say the new document will boost individual freedoms, religious liberty and women's rights. Critics, however, have slammed the new powers it grants to the military.

The constitution is widely expected to pass, despite a boycott by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The Islamist organization has seen its power diminished significantly following Morsi's overthrow. A violent crackdown at the hands of the military-appointed government has killed around 1,000 people and left many of the Brotherhood's members either in jail or forced underground.

The Brotherhood, which last month the government labeled a terrorist group, has called for "civilized peaceful protests" against this week's vote. A particular point of controversy in what Morsi's Islamist supporters have called the "sham referendum" is the military's bolstered powers. In addition to being granted the right to appoint the defense minister for the next eight years, the military will also be able to try civilians for attacks on the armed forces.

Sissi eyes presidency

The referendum is seen as a key step of Egypt's plan to restore a democratic government. Army chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has indicated his interest in running for president if there was "popular demand." Despite being reviled by many Islamists for his role in orchestrating the coup against Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, many view him as a likely candidate to seek the country's highest office.

In the lead-up to the vote, the government and pro-military media have portrayed the constitution as crucial to Egypt's security and stability, and criticized dissent. Hundreds of thousands of fliers, posters and banners have been displayed in the capital Cairo and around the country urging a "yes" vote, while posters and campaigns calling for Egyptians to vote "no" have led to arrests.

It is unclear how many people will participate in the referendum amid concern over violence and militant attacks, in addition to the Brotherhood boycott. One man was reportedly killed during a protest in the central province of Beni Sweif. Just before voting began, a blast damaged the facade of a Giza courthouse near Cairo, though no casualities were reported.

The interior ministry has vowed to "decisively" combat any attempts to disrupt voting, saying it will implement a "zero tolerance" policy against violence.

Urging participation

Interim President Adly Mansour urged Egyptians to turn out and vote, noting the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and policemen that have been deployed to provide security for the country's approximately 30,000 polling stations.

"I call on you to live up to the responsibility you owe to your nation and to ensure a better future for this country to go to your polling station and vote," he said in a speech on Sunday.

Some 53 million Egyptians are eligible to vote on Tuesday. Polls opened at 9:00 a.m. (0700 UTC) and are due to close at 9:00 p.m. A second round of voting will take place on Wednesday.

Results are expected within three days of the referendum.

dr/hc (AFP, dpa, AP, Reuters)