CAIRO, Jan 14 (Aswat Masriya) At least nine people were killed in clashes that erupted during the first day of Egypt’s constitutional referendum, announced the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Egyptians started voting on a draft constitution on Tuesday in a referendum seen by the interim government as a stepping stone towards democracy, but by Islamists, who will boycott it, as illegitimate.

Four people died in Giza, four in Suhag and one in Beni Suef, according to an official statement by the ministry.

At least 28 people were injured during confrontations across Egypt.

Violent confrontations erupted in four governorates when supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood staged protests against the poll.