Egypt's draft charter gets "yes" majority in vote

An Egyptian woman casts her vote during the second round of a referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsi in Fayoum, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. / AP Photo/Khalil Hamra

Updated 10:24 PM ET

CAIRO Egypt's Islamist-backed constitution received a "yes" majority in a final round of voting on a referendum that saw a low voter turnout, but the deep divisions it has opened up threaten to fuel continued turmoil.

Passage is a victory for Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, but a costly one. The bruising battle over the past month stripped away hope that the long-awaited constitution would bring a national consensus on the path Egypt will take after shedding its autocratic ruler Hosni Mubarak nearly two years ago.

Instead, Morsi disillusioned many non-Islamists who had once backed him and has become more reliant on his core support in the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists. Hard-liners in his camp are determined to implement provisions for stricter rule by Islamic law in the charter, which is likely to further fuel divisions.

• Egypt's vice president resigns
• Egypt orders probe into alleged vote violations

Saturday's voting in 17 of Egypt's 27 provinces was the second and final round of the referendum. Preliminary results released early Sunday by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood showed that 71.4 percent of those who voted Saturday said "yes" after 95.5 percent of the ballots were counted. Only about eight million of the 25 million Egyptians eligible to vote — a turnout of about 30 percent — cast their ballots. The Brotherhood has accurately predicted election results in the past by tallying results provided by its representatives at polling centers.

In the first round of voting, about 56 percent said "yes" to the charter. The turnout then was about 32 percent.

The results of the two rounds mean the referendum was approved by about 63 percent.

Morsi's liberal and secular opposition now faces the task of trying to organize the significant portion of the population angered by what it sees as attempts by Morsi and the Brotherhood to gain a lock on political power. The main opposition group, the National Salvation Front, said it would now start rallying for elections for the lawmaking, lower house of parliament, expected early next year.

Play Video

Egyptians go to the polls

"We feel more empowered because of the referendum. We proved that at least we are half of society (that) doesn't approve of all this. We will build on it," the Front's spokesman, Khaled Daoud, said. Still, he said, there was "no appetite" at the moment for further street protests.

The new constitution would come into effect once official results are announced, expected in several days. When they are, Morsi is expected to call for the election of parliament's lawmaking, lower chamber no more than two months later.

Egyptian military officers hang a list of voters' names next to stickers with Arabic writing that reads "No for the 2012 constitution" on a wall of a polling station during the second round of a referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsi, in Fayoum, about 62 miles south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Khalil Hamra

In a sign of disarray in Morsi's administration, his vice president and — possibly — the central bank governor resigned during Saturday's voting. Vice President Mahmoud Mekki's resignation had been expected since his post is eliminated under the new constitution. But its hasty submission even before the charter has been sealed and his own resignation statement suggested it was linked to Morsi's policies.

"I have realized a while ago that the nature of politics don't suit my professional background as a judge," his resignation letter, read on state TV, said. Mekki said he had first submitted his resignation last month but events forced him to stay on.

The status of Central Bank Governor Farouq el-Oqdah was murkier. State TV first reported his resignation, then soon after reported the Cabinet denied he has stepped down in a possible sign of confusion. El-Oqdah, in his post since 2003, has reportedly been seeking to step down but the administration was trying to convince him to stay on.

The confusion over el-Oqdah's status comes at a time when the government is eager to show some stability in the economy as the Egyptian pound has been sliding and a much-needed $4.8 billion loan from the IMF has been postponed.

• no previous page
• next

1/2

[mandiegracetaylor]

Yeah, it is really sad because the average Egyptian has gone from demoning Muburak and his gang and taking out their frustrations on that government to now having a total vacuum - as the vacuum fills with a Tehran style government - they will use the very religion Islam to validate every action and every law they enforce - and in less than a decade - it will seem to the west that the only thing Egypt has mastered is developing a first class military and inferring that its purpose is dispatch it onto anyone anywhere a nation disagrees with them and attempts to intervene - as the US and Israel watches the citizenry torch their flags and scream threats from morning till night - everyone around the world will have one more reason to pray -

The morbid fear that Moscow will light up world war three and kills us all - is a dinnertime joke - that some very zealous Osama bin Laden like personality gains access to highly developed nuclear arsenal is what we wake up to now - and the transition in this nation's government is pushing everyone closer to the edge.

[mandiegracetaylor]

The saddest part of this is the collateral damage for the nation of Egypt itself. Their top tier of highly educated and capable people are going to now try and immigrate out of the country. Most families will not really bother trying to educate the female child in the family who will never rise above an arranged marriage, shopping in the market with required muslim dress and probably will never travel without the accompaniment of a male. Over time they will appear to be walking backwards in time - the internet and access to world news will be tightly controlled. After another brief period of time - any of Egypt's citizens attempting to vent their frustrations in Cairo at the presidential palace will be arrested - people left and right will disappear - if not for treason related politics - they will disappear at the hands of the "virtue police." No one will visit their pyramids or museums in the future because the fact that Iran categorically arrests every foreigner that gets on their nerves at the moment and yells "spy" is too much to take.

They will become isolated and when they need to vent - the muslim brotherhood will encourage them to buy American and Israeli flags and lead them into chants of "death to Israel and the United States!" "Death to Israel and the United States." It will be the only recreational public displays they are allowed.

They will then start to see the acceptance of public executions and it will be a diversion to watch a woman get stoned while tied to a chair and another man get shot by firing squad - honor killings will be winked at and soon the UN will try to slap them on the wrist - but the UN will be so desperate for them not to slip away with Iran, Libya and Syria that the UN will bend over backwards and try to downplay life on the streets of Egypt.

What in the world the average Egyptian on the street thought they wanted - they don't know - they are almost schizophrenic - because they don't know what they want or don't want. But this government will teach to hate and distrust everyone - everyone - that is not the Muslim Brotherhood - and whatever dreams they had - will evaporate into memories - distant memories.

Egypt realizes the world around them doesn't really care what happens to an Egyptian - the world is neurotic about what it means for themselves - and this is why the everyday Egyptian does not respond the way we hoped.

But whether or not a very primitive lifestyle is ultimately good or bad - who knows - an intolerant religiously driven government? An anything goes driven government? With the Egyptians - it is truly black or white - there are no grays......

[friend2008]

Hmm, so it is okay for
Israel to give someone life sentence for denying the Holocaust.
Netherlands to permit prostitution.
Italy to legalize a specific amount of drugs for personal use.
U.S. Supreme Court to strike down ban on 'virtual child porn.

But not for Muslims to apply their Islamic Law in their countries. In which standards on the earth that could work?

[friend2008]

Hmm, so it is okay for
Israel to give some life sentence for denying the Holocaust.
Netherlands to permit prostitution.
Italy to legalize a specific amount of drugs for personal use.
U.S. Supreme Court to strike down ban on 'virtual child porn.

But not for Muslims to apply their Islamic Law in their countries. In which standards on the earth that could work?

[nonpolitico]

If Egypt does,as seems likely,end up a Sharia State,they cannot remain a member of the UN,as UN states have to sign up to the Human Rights Charter.
Not much chance of that if the clerics are in charge of the government of a state!!,for if they signed up to UN they would have to obey International Law.
It could be quite interesting around Egypt from now on.
For instance, Egypt has a Peace Treaty with Israel!!
An "International" treaty, which is binding on the signatories,this before they set up their Caliphate.
Remember, Egypt has a marvellous history going back before the Romans.
Will the Brotherhood now deface the Sphinx and the Pyramids, (Which are legally protected "International" monuments?
Interesting times ahead. Mr Obama should feel at home now!
I reckon I will steer clear of that region in future!

[friend2008]

Saudi Arabia and Iran apply Suriah and both countries are members of the United Nations.

[nonpolitico]

The Growth of Islam:
In respect to any advances in government practice, or political thought, or individual liberties, or the prosperity of the peasantry, or the rule of Law.......as distinct from the so-called religious (or Sharia) Law...., Islam is a conspicuous failure.
In long ago history, what was lacking under the Islamist Caliphate which was present in Byzantium, (and which would later emerge in Europe),was a legal defence against official repression.
For in the Islamic Caliphate, enforcement was violent...and continued to be so in Islamic States to the present day....as unfortunately, the faith based system has no provision for learning democratic lessons or moving with the times!
As modern Europe has evolved from Greek, Roman, and Byzantium systems of government, culminating in in the now universal Human Rights Charter, Islamic states stay firmly rooted in their religious traditions...and the 14th Century!

[dustin93sc]

Assad rains down scud missiles on innocent Syrians, while Barack vacations at Hawaii. Assad developed chemical and germ agents for his weapons systems. Syrians could be attacked by chlorine gas or anthrax at the push of a button. The agents are launched by mortars, rockets, or armed drones. He currently pours munitions on his opposition party, but Assad might fire on Israel, if necessary.

[nojoy01]

A. ..."rains down scud missiles..."
How many scud missiles an hour count towards "rains down"?

B. "...on innocent Syrians..."
Do you mean the armed people fighting the Syrian Army. The ones w/rockets, mortars, artillery, and armor? Yes, civilians are caught in the crossfire, but that happens in every civil war. That doesn't make it "right & proper" but also not evil in and of itself.

C. "...while Barack vacations at Hawaii."
You seem to be implying that Nero is fiddling while Rome is burning. Surely you are aware than no U.S. President is ever truly "on vacation". Or are you just upset that he hasn't dispatched the Marines to "get the situation well in hand" according to your lights?

D. Are your sources for information on Syria's WMD's better than the one's GWB used, or are you getting your information from CNN?

E. "He currently pours munitions on his opposition party,,,"
Do you mean those guys w/the guns, rockets and tanks that are shooting at the Syrian Army? Thats what you do in a civil war. You shoot at the "opposition party" when they have guns, rockets, and tanks & are shooting at you and your "loyalist party".

F. You seem to be implying that "we" (the U.S.) shoud "do something" about the situation. What is your reccomendation?

[Filmguy870]

Note to self: avoid Egypt.

[tsigili]

You expected anything else, in an Islamic controlled country?

This is how Islam intends to take over the world.

[MIO42]

Most people don't Vote
Because they REALLY DON'T CARE
Weird though since they are the ones that milk the system for everything they can get out of it and whine and complain the most.
I guess it works pretty good for them
So where's the problem??