CAIRO: Egyptians voted in favor of proposed constitutional amendments by an overwhelming 77.2 percent in Saturday's referendum. Results were announced on Sunday evening. Voter participation exceeded 41 percent, four times the percentage of voters in November's parliamentary elections. Out of 45 million people eligible to vote, 18,537,000 citizens cast a ballot. The high rate of participation reflects Egypt's first steps toward democracy. Though the results were contrary to some expectations, Egyptians as a whole are comfortable with the results. Many Egyptians feel that the people's voice have been heard, and all will abide by the decision. Some have called for unity now that the results have been announced, saying those who voted yes and those who voted no should stand together. The expected scenario after the approval of the constitutional amendments is that parliamentary elections will be held sometime in the next six months, followed by presidential elections before the end of the year. The amendments require the next parliament to form a 100-member assembly to draft a new constitution within six months. The constitution must be approved by a referendum of the people. The main concern now among many Egyptians is that six months is too soon to hold parliamentary elections. Proponents say Egyptian political parties will not be ready for the elections, and many of the '25 January Youth' have not been absorbed into any of the existing political parties. Some have claimed if existent Egyptian parties aging decades ago couldn't yield enough acceptance from Egyptian people, neither did they prove themselves on the political arena. How, then, can newly formed parties prepare themselves, their platforms, and gain acceptance among the Egyptian people within six months? One main complaint on Saturday's referendum is the move by some religious groups for their followers to vote ‘yes' on a religious basis. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) distributed many fliers encouraging people to vote ‘yes' for the amendments, and Salafists Islamists told their followers if they did not vote ‘yes' Article 2 of the constitution would be cancelled. Article 2 states that Islam is the state religion and principles of Islamic “Sharia” law is the main source of legislation. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, however, declined to say which way he voted, not wishing to influence the vote of those who follow him. Conversely, many Coptic Christians called for a ‘no' vote because they want an entirely new constitution, feeling they are not equal citizens under the current constitution. Debate over a new constitution could put religion under the spotlight. A new constitution could subject Article 2 to changes, opening the door for religious conflict between those demanding the necessity of its change, and those who insist on keeping it, whatever their reasons may be. BM
