• 09:48
  • Monday ,16 September 2013
العربية

Latest developments in Egypt's constitutional referendum

By Aswat Masriya

Home News

00:09

Monday ,16 September 2013

Latest developments in Egypt's constitutional referendum
Egyptians began casting their votes on Saturday in the referendum on the country's new constitution. 
 
Below are the latest developments: 
 
Cairo: 
. President Mohamed Mursi voted at a Heliopolis polling station on Saturday morning. 
. The turnout is average at some polling stations while high at others. 
. Police and army forces are present to secure polling stations. 
. A calm atmosphere generally prevailed at polling stations. 
 
Sharqiya: 
. Most polling stations have opened. 
. Turnout is only average due to the low temperature.
. Some polling stations are yet to open due to the tardiness of the judges or staff supervising them.
 
Gharbiya: 
. Some polling stations have not yet opened as the judges supervising them are yet to arrive, despite the high turnout of voters. 
. Some polling stations received long queues of Salafis (ultraconservatives) and Muslim Brotherhood members. 
 
Assiut: 
. There was a delay in the opening of some polling stations as staff members arrived late. 
. Assiut Governor voted this morning, insisting to stand in the queue to wait his turn. 
. Some polling stations saw long queues at the early hours of Saturday.
 
Aswan: 
. Low turnout at polling stations during the first hours of the vote.
. Some polling stations opened late.
. Women wearing full-body veils (niqab) tried to convince other voters to vote "yes" at one polling station, an eyewitness said.
. Some opponents of the draft constitution were seen distributing flyers that describe the controversial charter as the "constitution to divide Egypt."
 
North Sinai:
. Low turnout in Arish – at a number of polling stations.
. The judges – who are supposed to monitor the polls – arrived late at a number of polling stations.