BLOOMBERG: Voters in Egypt’s first referendum after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak backed a set of constitutional changes that some critics say may favor established groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood in future elections.
More than 18 million valid ballots were counted, with 77.2 percent of voters approving the changes, Mohammed Attia, the head of the judicial commission overseeing the referendum, said today at a press conference in Cairo.
“This is the first referendum after the people regained Egypt,” said Attia. “The citizen felt after the January 25 revolution that his vote counts.” Turnout was about 41 percent, he said.
Voters cast their ballots yesterday, many for the first time, to approve measures including term limits for presidents and fuller judicial oversight of voting. The changes, drafted by a committee appointed by the military council running the country since last month’s ouster of Mubarak, are aimed at paving the way for parliamentary and presidential elections later this year.
Backers such as the Muslim Brotherhood, banned under Mubarak, say the amendments will help speed up the transition to civilian rule, free the army for duties like guarding national security and end turmoil that is hurting the economy.
Opponents say the proposals aren’t enough to advance democracy and that a rushed transition will let established forces -- the Brotherhood, and Mubarak’s former ruling party -- dominate parliament at the expense of young activists who led the popular uprising. » | Mariam Fam | Sunday, March 20, 2011
