Egyptians vote in referendum on divisive constitution

The draft constitution has divided Egyptians and sparked deadly clashes. Because 90 percent of the judiciary has boycotted the referendum, a shortage of monitors has made it necessary to hold the vote in two rounds – half this Saturday in Alexandria, Cairo and eight other towns and half on Dec. 22. Violent clashes erupted in Alexandria Friday night between supporters and opponents of the constitution in which 15 people were injured. The Egyptian military were deploying 120,000 troops to maintain order as voting began Saturday. Members of the liberal, secular and Christian opposition say the draft erodes civil liberties by boosting Islamic law and ignoring minority and women’s rights.
 

 

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