
Audio By Carbonatix
Egypt is awaiting the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution.Early unofficial results suggested more than 60% of voters said "yes" to the document, which is endorsed by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.But the electoral commission must first investigate opposition allegations of voting fraud.Egypt has seen large and occasionally violent demonstrations by the opposing sides in the past few weeks.If the constitution passes, elections must take place within two months and the deep polarisation in the country is likely to continue, the BBC's Bethany Bell in Cairo reports.In the meantime, legislative powers will pass to parliament's upper chamber, the Islamist-controlled Shura Council.'Vote for stability'State media reports of the results following Saturday's second and final round of the referendum suggested that some 63% of voters had backed the charter. Turnout was low, estimated at 30%.The electoral commission said it was compiling results from both rounds and that no time had been set for a confirmation of the outcome.One member of the commission, Mohamed el-Tanobly, told Agence France-Presse it was examining all the allegations of irregularities so that the referendum "really reflects the will of the Egyptian people".The opposition National Salvation Front said on Sunday the vote had been marred by "fraud and violations".It said these included polling stations opening late, Islamists seeking to influence voters and a lack of judges to supervise.Spokesman Amr Hamzawy told a news conference the National Salvation Front had urged the commission to investigate the irregularities but he also appeared to anticipate a "yes" vote.He said: "We do not consider this constitution legitimate. We will continue to attempt to bring down the constitution peacefully and democratically."The opposition says the draft constitution fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that were sought in the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's rule last year.It accuses the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians.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.On the Freedom and Justice Party Facebook page, its leader, Saad al-Katatni, wrote that its members were "extending our hands to all political parties and all national forces", adding: "We will all start a new page".However, the crisis is continuing to affect the country's economic status. On Monday, the ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Egypt's long-term credit rating because of the ongoing tension.Lowering the country's long-term rating to B- from B, it said: "A further downgrade is possible if a significant worsening of the domestic political situation results in a sharp deterioration of economic indicators such as foreign exchange reserves or the government's deficit."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 referendum on the draft constitution.
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
-
Central Regional NADMO gives residents in dilapidated buildings 14 days to evacuate
24 minutes -
Bibiani NPP members call for regional chairman’s resignation over disqualification of aspirants
38 minutes -
Cloudy conditions, intermittent rains to persist nationwide – GMet
49 minutes -
Zenith SME Business Empowerment Lab urges SMEs to adapt, innovate and thrive in a changing economy
1 hour -
T-bills: Government record 20% undersubscription; interest rates continue to rise
1 hour -
Ghanaian medicinal plant shows potential to starve prostate tumours by blocking blood vessel growth
2 hours -
Emirates expands operations in Ghana with additional weekly flights
2 hours -
Tributes paid to ‘popular’ teenager killed in Donegal rally crash
2 hours -
Marigold Foundation distributes sanitary pads to 1,500 girls in Agona East
3 hours -
Two dead after building collapse at Gyagyaano in Cape Coast
3 hours -
Six arrested over Kwabenya shooting incident involving Adwoa Safo
3 hours -
Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I installed as new leader of Kristo Asafo Mission
3 hours -
Kristo Asafo Church refutes claims Adwoa Safo was shot by brother
4 hours -
Four dead, two critical after Metro Mass bus plunges into ditch on Peki stretch
5 hours -
Police reinforce security at Kwabenya following gunfire incident involving Adwoa Safo
5 hours