EGYPT: Nobel Prize winner and opposition leader, Mohamed el-Baradei calls for cancellation of controversial constitutional referendum
Record ID:
804193
EGYPT: Nobel Prize winner and opposition leader, Mohamed el-Baradei calls for cancellation of controversial constitutional referendum
- Title: EGYPT: Nobel Prize winner and opposition leader, Mohamed el-Baradei calls for cancellation of controversial constitutional referendum
- Date: 14th December 2012
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (DECEMBER 13, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WITH REPUBLICAN GUARD STANDING OUTSIDE PALACE WALLS REPUBLICAN GUARD STANDING IN FRONT OF PALACE WALLS
- Embargoed: 29th December 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA636BQX1MNKPFMQCJ12GCZLCKF
- Story Text: Two days before a controversial referendum on a new Egyptian constitution, prominent opposition leader Mohamed El-Baradei has called on President Mursi to cancel it.
Egypt has been plunged into its worst political crisis since the fall of longtime President Hosni Mubarak over the last several weeks, since President Mohamed Mursi assumed sweeping new powers to push through the constitution.
Islamists and the largely liberal opposition have held large protests and fought street battles in which at least eight people have been killed.
Delivering a statement from his home in Cairo on Thursday (December 13), Nobel Peace Prize winner El-Baradei said that the constitution, written mainly by Islamist allies of Mursi, was invalid.
"No matter the outcome of the referendum, so I can be clear, the referendum is void, the constitution is void. We will continue to work towards the downfall of this constitution, before the referendum and after, in every legal, peaceful, and democratic method available," he said.
Baradei also called on Mursi to cancel the ballot.
"Dr. Mursi, cancel the referendum. When I learn today that there aren't enough judges to supervise the referendum and that it will be spilt over two stages, and that each ballot box will not have a judge assigned to it; then I know that the chances of forgery and violence are clear for everyone to see, so why vote?" he said.
Despite the opposition push for a "no" vote, the measure is expected to pass given the well-organised Muslim Brotherhood's record of winning elections since the fall of Mubarak. Many Egyptians, tired of turmoil, may simply fall in line.
Baradei said today that the new constitution does not reflect the views of all Egyptians.
"We want the country to move forward, because it isn't. This constitution wasn't drafted for Sharia, it is a result of one faction, with one vision (that does not represent) nor do its ideologies coincide with that of the majority of the Egyptian people. So why impose a vision that has no base for a democratic constitution. Why have you drafted a constitution that diminishes the independence of the judiciary? Why have you drafted a constitution that does not guarantee the rights of women? Why have you drafted a constitution that forces children to work? Why have you drafted a constitution that will create a new dictator?" he said.
Baradei, whose return to Egypt in late 2010 was instrumental in sparking the uprising that toppled Mubarak, called for unity.
"I am reaching out to you Salafi's, Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Gamaa [Islamic Group]. Don't think that you can impose your ideologies on us; we have our own vision. So let's talk, and there will be no winners or losers, because we will all lose so long as we continue on the path where each faction is in a different demonstration in a different square," he said.
The first round of voting is scheduled to take place on Saturday, with Egyptians going to the polls for a second round on December 22nd. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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