CAIRO, Jan 14 (Aswat Masriya) Egyptians have started voting on a draft constitution, in a referendum seen by the interim government as a stepping stone towards democracy, but by Islamists, who will boycott it, as illegitimate.

President Adli Mansour and Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi have voted at polling stations in Cairo’s Heliopolis.

Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was seen patrolling polling stations to check their security status amid welcoming and chants of support from voters.

Deputy Prime Minister Ziaad Bahaa ElDin and Foreign Affairs Minister Nabil Fahmy both voted in Zamalek.

Polling stations in Heliopolis and Nasr City in Cairo saw large crowds of voters on Tuesday morning amid heavy security, similar to the Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood, also in Cairo, where the queues were orderly and seats for the elderly were provided. Security forces removed banners that encouraged Egyptians to vote “yes” at Aly Mubarak polling station while residents of the neighborhood played national songs and songs supporting Sisi.

The compound of the Islamic Nour Schools in Giza saw a large turnout of voters amid an absence of organizers, who the polling station had told the elections commission it would provide, which led to confrontations between the voters and some chaos. There was also a noticeable absence of armed and police forces outside of the station, but some were found inside.

Some polling stations opened early due to the large turnout in Alexandria while security forces dispersed a march organized by Muslim Brotherhood supporters in al-Asafra neighborhood and a demonstration in Victoria Square calling for a “no” vote on the constitution. Banners supporting the constitution and the army were seen hung on the walls of stations and vehicles.

Some polling stations opened late in Matrouh amid a large turnout and heavy security while campaigners assisted voters in finding their stations.

Tens of voters have headed to polls as polling stations opened up at their scheduled time in Suez amid heavy security presence of armed and police forces. Some streets leading to polls were closed to traffic while military choppers hovered over the governorate and Suez Governor al-Araby al-Soory voted at Mohamed Hafez School.

Polling stations saw a large turnout of voters in Port Said on Tuesday amid heavy security.

Rural areas have seen a noticeably large turnout of voters in Ismalia with the opening of gates, especially among elderly citizens, amid heavy security and assistance by youth groups. No violations have been reported to date.

A large turnout was reported in Sharqiya polling stations, especially from female voters belonging to the ultraconservative Salafi Nour Party and the dissolved National Democratic Party of Mubarak, amid heavy security.

Large crowds have headed to most polling stations in Gharbiya while some stations have remained closed until this minute, leading to long awaiting queues.

In Daqahliya, ballots and registration documents arrived late on Tuesday, leading to chaos amid a large turnout of voters in the majority of polling stations while three stations opened late due to the late arrival of supervising judges, amid heavy security and campaigning for a “yes” vote.

A large turnout of voters was seen at polling stations in Damietta amid heavy security while security forces dispersed a demonstration organized by Muslim Brotherhood supporters who had tried to disturb the voting process.

Polling stations saw large crowds of voters in Assiut on Tuesday amid heavy security presence.

Polling began in Sohag with a large voter turnout, but some stations opened late due to the tardy arrival of supervising judges.