Egypt Waits Official Results: Yes for Referendum

Local Editor

Egypt awaits for official results of a referendum on a new constitution reportedly backed by two-thirds of voters but which the opposition alleged was riddled with fraud.

"No official date has been fixed" for the final polling figures, a member of the electoral commission, Mohamed el-Tanobly, told AFP. State media had reported the count could be given on Monday.

The Muslim Brotherhood backing President Mohamed Mursi and media say an unofficial tally shows 64 percent of ballots backed the new charter.
For its part, the National Salvation Front opposition coalition claims numerous instances of polling "fraud and violations" and is demanding the electoral commission investigate before issuing its official figures.

"The referendum is not the end of the road. It is only one battle," the Front also said in a statement. "We will continue the fight for the Egyptian people."
The challenge suggested no quick end to Egypt's political crisis, which erupted a month ago when Mursi allocated himself great powers to push through the charter written up by Brotherhood dominated panel.

However, fierce protests, including violent clashes on December 5 that killed eight people and wounded hundreds, led to Mursi giving up those powers early this month.
While 49% of the population voted in the elections that put Mursi into power, combined turnout from both referendum rounds was 32 percent, according to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, Mursi's vice president, Mohammad Mekki, whose post is not mentioned in the new charter, announced on Saturday that he was resigning.
He said he wanted to resign in November but stayed on to help manage the political crisis.
State television reported that Central Bank chief Faruq El-Okda had also resigned, but later cited a cabinet source as denying it.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org