Update: Latest developments in Egypt's constitutional referendum

Saturday 22-12-2012 08:01 PM
Update: Latest developments in Egypt's constitutional referendum

Reuters/Stringer

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Egyptians are still casting their votes on Saturday in the referendum's final round on the country's new constitution in 17 governorates.

The first round took place on December 15 in 10 governorates with unofficial results of  56 percent for the draft constitution and 44 percent against it.

The voting hours have been extended until 11 p.m. due to the high turnout of voters.


Below are the latest developments:

Giza

. High turnout of voters in most polling stations.

. Posters supporting and opposing the draft constitution were sighted in front of polling stations.

. Some polling stations are under-staffed.

. Delay in opening some polling stations despite the arrival of judges.

. Minor clashes between voters over precedence of voting.

. Weak presence of security forces.

 

Qaliubiya

. Polling stations witnessed a high turnout.

. The “laptop phenomenon” reappeared in front of two polling stations.

. Minor clashes between voters.

. Most polling stations were fifteen minutes late in opening.

 

 Menoufiya

. Governor of Menoufiya stressed that legal actions will be take against violations.

. There was no propoganda either for supporters or opponents in polling stations

. 57 polling stations opened late due to the late arrival of judges.

. April 6 movement's operation room observed banners calling for a "yes" vote in two polling stations.

 

Fayoum

. Most polling stations opened on time.

. High turnout of voters.

. Some posters at polling stations calling voters to cast a “No” vote were sighted.

. High presence of security to withhold any possible scuffles between supporters and opponents of the constitution.

. Activists and media representatives were not allowed into polling stations.

. Two polling stations did not open until 9 a.m.

 

Beni Suef

. General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Badie cast his vote in a polling station in Beni Suef. He praised the role of the armed forces in the current phase

 

Minya

. Governor of Minya Mostafa Kamel Eissa toured a number of polling stations to monitor the voting process. 

. There are cases of mass transport for citizens voting "Yes", Teresa Samir, founder of "Raa'i Dameerak", reported.

 

Luxor

. One polling station is not using phosphoric ink.

. In another polling station employees direct voters to say "No".

 

Qena

. Reports from voters of unstampted ballot papers. Judges sealed off polling station temporarily until ballot are stamped.

 

Red Sea

. Number of judges overseeing the voting process is 64 with seven standby judges, head of Hurghada Primary Court and head of the Red Sea's Higher Electoral Commission Judge Essam al-Din Farah said.

 

Behiera

. Several cases of irregularities were reported. Reports included an absent judge at polling stations no. 23 in Bandar Damanhour's Radwan School and fading indelible ink at one polling station.

 

Damietta

. Polling stations opened on time except for one due to the tardiness of judges.

. Polling stations witness high turnout.

. Vechiles were seen in the streets with posters urging for a "no" vote.

. Muslim Brotherhood supporters outside polling stations direct voters to a “yes” vote.

 

Matruh

. Long queues in front of most polling stations.

. Some polling stations opened late.

.  A high turnout for men voters in comparison to a low turnout for women.

. High presence of security  forces.

 

Port Said

. Head of Lawyer’s syndicate in Port-Said filed a case against all judges at polling stations for slowing down the voting process.

.  A father reported that the name of his deceased son was registered in the voting list.

. A report was filed against a political activist for urging voters to say “no”.

. Most observers allowed in polling stations by the National Council for Human Rights belonged to Islamic groups, especially the Muslim Brotherhood.

. Long queues in polling stations and slow procedures.

. Member of the dissolved parliament Akram al-Sha’er mobilizes voters to say “yes”.

. Operations room observed irregularities in a polling station of the south suburban neighborhood.

. Polling stations are delayed due to the late arrival of stamped ballots.

. Muslim Brotherhood monitoring groups direct voters to a “yes” vote.

 

Suez

. Elections Committee received complaints that the judges did not certify that voters used indelible phosphoric ink.

. Campaigning within a close distance from one polling station.

. Polling stations were not prepared for a high turnout of voters.

.  A Judge was slowing the proceedings in one polling station.

. Some voters were yelling anti-judiciary chants outside a polling station until the army intervened.

. A group of Salafis (ultraconservatives) were directing and mobilizing voters to a “yes” vote.

.  A polling station was closed for thirty minutes after it opened.

.  A member of the monitoring group “Egypt First” witnessed fully-veiled women urging voters to cast a “yes” vote outside a polling station.

.  Late arrival of judges at a polling station caused overcrowding and scuffles between voters.

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