- Title: EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood leaders vote in referendum
- Date: 22nd December 2012
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (DECEMBER 22, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LEADER OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE PARTY (FJP) (THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD'S PARTY), SAAD AL-KATATNI, STANDING IN QUEUE WAITING TO VOTE KATATNI ENTERS POLLING STATION AND HANDS IDENTIFICATION CARD TO ELECTION OFFICIAL KATATNI SINGING VOTER LIST KATATNI WALKING INTO POLLING BOOTH KATATNI CASTING VOTING PAPER INTO BALLOT BOX KATATNI DIPPING FINGER INTO BLUE INK KATATNI WALKING OUT OF POLLING STATION / DEMONSTRATORS SHOUTING (ARABIC): ''DOWN DOWN WITH THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE, DOWN DOWN WITH BADIE'' VOTERS QUEUING VOTE DEPUTY OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE PARTY (FJP), ESSAM EL-ERIAN, QUEUING TO VOTE / LINE OF VOTERS ERIAN SPEAKING TO ELECTION OFFICIAL AS HE QUEUES ERIAN AMONGST CROWD OF PHOTOGRAPHERS ERIAN IN POLLING BOOTH SHOWING HIS BALLOT WITH THE 'YES' OPTION MARKED ERIAN POSTING HIS BALLOT PAPER IN BALLOT BOX ERIAN SHOWING OFF BLUE-INKED FINGER ERIAN WALKING OUT OF POLLING STATION
- Embargoed: 6th January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAEVI3AE7G6YQBXVU7Q8966OZIV
- Story Text: The leader of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Saad al-Katatni and his deputy Essam el Erian, cast their ballots in the second round of Egypt's constitutional referendum on Saturday (December 22).
The referendum is expected to approve an Islamist-drafted constitution that lays foundations for transition to democracy but is criticised as divisive by the opposition.
As Katatni prepared to leave the polling station where he cast his vote he was heckled by protesters who shouted: "Down, down with the spiritual guide, down down with (Mohammed) Badie."
The vote has been staggered over two days, with about half the 51 million eligible voters covered in each round, because many judges needed to supervise the vote have boycotted the polls to protest the referendum in sympathy with the opposition.
Unofficial results showed a 57 percent approval for the constitution in the first round.
Analysts said the second day's ballot was likely to deliver another 'yes' vote, possibly by a bigger margin, because it would be held in several rural regions and other areas perceived to have more Islamist sympathisers.
The constitution was fast-tracked to a referendum by President Mohamed Mursi when a decree announced on November 22 putting him temporarily above judicial scrutiny led to mass protests, some of which turned violent.
At least eight people died in clashes close to the presidential palace in the run-up to the first day of voting on December 15.
Liberals, Christians and others quit the drafting assembly, which was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist allies of President Mohamed Mursi, saying their voices were not being heard.
Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Mursi, who was elected in June, say the constitution is vital to moving Egypt towards democracy two years after Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in a popular uprising. They say it will help restore the stability needed to fix an economy that is on the ropes.
Hours before polls closed, Vice President Mahmoud Mekky announced his resignation. He said he wanted to quit last month but stayed on to help Mursi tackle a crisis that blew up when the Islamist leader assumed wide powers.
Mekky, a prominent judge who said he was uncomfortable in politics, disclosed earlier he had not been informed of Mursi's power grab. The timing of his resignation appeared linked to the lack of a vice-presidential post under the draft constitution.
The referendum committee may not declare a result for the two rounds until Monday (December 24), after hearing appeals, although unofficial results may come sooner.
The new basic law sets a limit of two four-year presidential terms. It says sharia law principles remain the main source of legislation but adds an article to explain this further. It also says Islamic authorities will be consulted on sharia - a source of concern to Christians and other non-Muslims.
If the constitution passes, there will be parliamentary elections in about two months. If not, an assembly will have to be set up to draft a new one.
Islamists, who have won successive ballots since Mubarak's overthrow, albeit by narrowing margins, dismiss charges they are exploiting religion and say the constitution reflects the will of a majority in the country where most people are Muslim.
In a resignation letter, Mekky said "the nature of political work did not suit my professional background as a judge".
A cabinet spokesman denied a state television report that the central bank governor, Farouk El-Okdah, had resigned. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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