Audio By Carbonatix
Egyptian opposition groups are holding last-ditch protests against a referendum on a draft constitution, due to start on Saturday.
At least two anti-constitution rallies are to take place in Cairo after Friday's main weekly Muslim prayers.
Critics say the draft document, backed by President Mohammed Morsi and his supporters, is too Islamist.
Pro-Morsi groups are lining main roads in Cairo, holding placards that say "Yes to the constitution".
They have also published online videos with a campaign song that says "This constitution is not too bad, it was written by a committee of heroes", AFP news agency reports.
The opposition National Salvation Front has urged a "No" vote but so far stopped short of calling for a boycott.
Tight security
The controversy has sparked bloody clashes across Egypt between President Morsi's supporters and opposition activists.
Security is tight, with tens of thousands of police and troops deployed to keep order.
President Morsi has also given the army the power to arrest civilians, raising fears that Egypt is moving back towards military rule.
A new Egyptian constitution is seen as a major milestone following the revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
But a vote on the draft has sharpened the polarisation between liberal groups and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood that backs Mr Morsi.
The president himself has also been at loggerheads with the judiciary.
Lack of judges
Polls will open at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Saturday in Cairo, Alexandria and eight other provinces. The other half of the country will vote a week later.
Polling had to be spread out because so few judges were willing to supervise the vote.
Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who heads the National Salvation Front, wrote on his Twitter feed: "Insistence on referendum in an explosive, polarised, chaotic and lawless environment is leading country to the brink."
Earlier this week, leading opposition figure Hamdeen Sabbahi said the Front would still call for a boycott if key conditions were not met by Saturday.
On Friday it was unclear if a boycott would be called.
Last weekend, President Morsi offered a concession to the opposition by annulling a 22 November decree that gave him sweeping new powers.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
TaxForGalamsey: Awula Serwah slams ‘ignorance’ defence in levy scandal, demands sanctions for MMDCEs
12 minutes -
Collecting levies from galamseyers is wrong; sanctions must be enforced – Kenneth Ashigbey
21 minutes -
BeTechConnected launches Future of Work Africa Podcast to amplify African voices on jobs, innovation
31 minutes -
Rejecting pesewa coins is illegal, fuels inflation – BoG warns traders
1 hour -
New Juabeng MP seeks details on GRA’s customs AI system
1 hour -
TaxForGalamsey: Levies were institutional, not personal – Kwakye Ofosu explains lack of sanctions
1 hour -
Feeding Hungry Pupils: 38-year-old female teacher initiates food bank to promote teaching and learning at Abankoro
1 hour -
Education Minister announces 2027 start date for Jomoro College project in Western Region
1 hour -
‘Sit us down and explain ‘it’—Customs agents raise alarm over new GRA AI system
2 hours -
Gov’t commits GH¢25m seed fund to Ghana Defence University project
2 hours -
Fighters condemns PAC Chair Abena Osei-Asare over Agbana comments; renew call for inclusive politics
2 hours -
72 Days to Mundial: Ghana’s risky gamble after sacking Otto Addo
2 hours -
Health Ministry boosts cardiovascular care with new guidelines, GH¢6m equipment support
2 hours -
OmniBSIC Bank delivers 104% profit growth, assets and deposits double in 2025
2 hours -
Ghana month donation drive ends on high note as NPA donates GH₵1m to GMTF
2 hours
