Egypt Constitution Vote on Dec 15 & 22,2012 gets ;yes' majority Vote

Egypt Constitution Vote - Saturday Dec 15,2012

 

The simple ballot paper asks voters to either endorse or oppose the new constitution.

Early indications suggested that a majority of those who have voted so far may have backed the document.Saturday's vote was held in Cairo, Alexandria and 8 other provinces.In the first round of voting, about 56 % said “yes” to the charter and the turnout was about 32 %

Constitution at a glance

• Sharia remains the main source of legislation
• Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's leading authority, to be consulted on "matters related to Sharia"
• Christianity and Judaism to be the main source of legislation for Christians and Jews
• Religious freedom to be limited to Muslims, Christians and Jews
• Limits president to two four-year terms of office

 

Egypt Constitution Vote - Saturday Dec 22,2012

 

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 Mr. Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood showed that 71.4 percent of those who voted Saturday said “yes” after 95.5 % of the ballots were counted.  

 

 

Only about eight million of the 25 million Egyptians eligible to vote a turnout of about 30 % cast their ballots.

 

 

Both rounds of voting saw claims by the opposition and rights groups of voting violations. On Saturday, they said violations ranged from polling stations opening late to Islamists seeking to influence voters to say “yes.” The official MENA news agency said at least two judges have been removed for coercing voters to cast “yes” ballots .

 The results of the two rounds mean the referendum was approved by about 63%.The new constitution would come into effect once official results are announced.

 

Egypt Constitution Vote Passes -Tuesday Dec 25,2012

Egypt's electoral commission has confirmed that a controversial, Islamist-backed constitution was passed by 64% of voters, rejecting opposition allegations of polling fraud.
Samir Abul Maati, the President of the National Electoral Commission, told a Cairo news conference late Tuesday Dec 25,2012 that a total of 63.8 % of valid ballots supported the new constitution.
Turnout was 32.9 %t, he said.

Egypt's Draft Constitution

Egypt’s draft constitution is made up of an introduction, an 11-part preamble and 236 articles .

Shariah (Islamic) law

Like a previous constitution, the draft states, “Principles of Islamic Shariah are the principal source of legislation.” For the first time, the draft defines those principles, rooting them in “general evidence, foundational rules” and other rules from the long tradition of Islamic jurisprudence. Both critics and ultraconservative supporters of the charter say that opens the doors for stricter imposition of Islamic law.

Role of clerics

The draft gives Islamic clerics unprecedented powers with an article stating, “Al—Azhar senior scholars are to be consulted in matters pertaining to Islamic law,” referring to the most respected center of scholarship and rulings in Sunni Islam.

Morals

An article commits “the state and society” to “entrenching and protecting the moral values” of “the authentic Egyptian family.” Critics worry the broad phrasing will allow not only the government but also individuals to intervene in personal rights.

Women’s rights

The draft mentions women in the framework of the traditional Muslim family, adding, “The state shall ensure maternal and child health services free of charge and ensure reconciliation between the duties of a woman toward her family and her work.” The preamble underlines equality “for all citizens, men and women, without discrimination or nepotism or preferential treatment, in both rights and duties.” But opponents charge that the document does not protect women from discrimination.

Civil rights

The draft guarantees freedom of expression, creativity, assembly and other rights. It also has a direct ban on torture and stricter provisions limiting detentions and searches by police. But it says the rights “must be practiced in a manner not conflicting with” principles of Shariah or the morals of the family. There is also a ban on insulting “religious messengers and prophets,” opening the door to arrests of bloggers and other activists.

News media

Independent publications closed for a day to protest the lack of an article banning arrest of journalists for what they write. The draft has this- “Freedom of the press, printing, publication and mass media shall be guaranteed. The media shall be free and independent...”

Religious minorities

The draft guarantees the freedom of Christians and Jews to practice their rites, live by their religions’ rule on marriage, inheritance and personal status and establish places of worship. But it hedges those rights on the condition they do not “violate public order” and that they will be “regulated by law.” In the past, the building of churches has been limited by law because of claims it disturbs public order. The draft guarantees those rights for “the divine religions,” meaning Christianity and Judaism, but not others, raising concerns of persecution of smaller sects.

Military

The charter ensures an independent status for the powerful military. The president is the head of the national security council, but the defence minister is the commander in chief of the armed forces and “appointed from among its officers.” Control of the military budget is not mentioned. It also allows civilians to be tried before military courts in some cases.

Critics have raised concerns over issues including Islamic law and women’s rights