[img]http://imgkk.com/i/nfap.jpg[/img]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20745784[/url]
[quote=BBC News][B]Votes are being counted in Egypt in the first round of a referendum on a new constitution.[/B]
President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood have endorsed the document, but critics say it is poorly drafted and favours Islamists.
Violent incidents were reported during voting, but not the widespread clashes that preceded the poll.
Early indications suggested that a majority of those who have voted so far may have backed the document.
A Muslim Brotherhood official told Reuters news agency that 56.5% backed the text, according to the party's tally.
Opposition officials were also quoted as saying the "yes" vote appeared to be ahead.
Official results are not expected until after the second round, next Saturday.
Analysts say the second round is likely to give another "yes" vote as it includes districts seen as more sympathetic towards Islamists.
Turnout was unofficially estimated at around 32%. If confirmed, that would be far lower than the presidential or parliamentary elections following the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
A group of seven Egyptian human rights organisations reported widespread irregularities at polling stations.
They told a news conference they had reports of people falsely identifying themselves as judges, of women being prevented from voting, of some polling centres closing early and of some Christians being denied entry to polling stations.
The rights groups called on the election commission to prevent the same violations in the second round, and for the first round to be repeated.
The opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) reiterated its allegations that balloting had been "marred by irregularities and violations".
It said it would "not recognise any unofficial result" and would wait for the formal tally after the second round.
The head of the NSF, Mohamed ElBaradei, who is a former chief of the UN nuclear energy agency, tweeted: "Country split, flagrant irregularities, low turnout, disillusion w(ith) Islamists on the rise. Illiteracy remains a hurdle."
[B]Lack of judges[/B]
The simple ballot paper asks voters to either endorse or oppose the new constitution.
Saturday's vote was held in Cairo, Alexandria and eight other provinces, a week before the rest of the country.
Polling reportedly had to be spread out because few judges were willing to supervise the referendum.
A constitution must be in place before elections can be held early next year.
Mr Morsi was elected president in June with just over half of the vote, more than a year after Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in a popular revolt in Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world.
Opponents of the new constitution include liberals and others who want a more secular future for Egypt.
They say the charter would take away some of the new freedoms won in last year's revolution.
The National Salvation Front had vehemently opposed the referendum, but this week said its supporters should go to the ballot boxes to vote "No".
Supporters of the draft constitution have accused the opposition of sowing "lies and discord".
[B]'Deep concern'[/B]
During the first round of voting the headquarters of the opposition al-Wafd party in Cairo was attacked, reportedly by extremist Islamists.
Clashes were also reported in the cities of Dakahlia and Alexandria.
The violence in Alexandria reportedly broke out after a cleric at a mosque urged worshippers to vote "Yes".
It continued late into the evening, with police firing tear gas, and at least 15 people injured in the fighting.
But BBC Arabic reporters outside Cairo said the situation was mostly calm.
The Egyptian army's chief of staff, Gen Sedky Sobhi, told the BBC he was satisfied with the situation inside and outside polling stations.[/quote]
hmm, sounds like a bit of voter fraud
And so Egypt was a theocratic regime.
[QUOTE=OrionChronicles;38852428]hmm, sounds like a bit of voter fraud[/QUOTE]
Setting up an election can be difficult in a poor but large country in terms of population.
[editline]16th December 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=laserguided;38852669]And so Egypt was a theocratic regime.[/QUOTE]
You exaggerate. The Muslim Brotherhood are moderates and even if they do keep their majority once the Constitution is written, there is a vast coalition of secular parties that will have a chance in future elections.
[QUOTE=laserguided;38852669]And so Egypt was a theocratic regime.[/QUOTE]
Given the revolts that are going on right now, I don't think the Egyptians would let that happen.
[QUOTE=person11;38853681]Setting up an election can be difficult in a poor but large country in terms of population.
[editline]16th December 2012[/editline]
You exaggerate. The Muslim Brotherhood are moderates and even if they do keep their majority once the Constitution is written, there is a vast coalition of secular parties that will have a chance in future elections.[/QUOTE]
"The Brotherhood's credo was and is, "Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.""
Moderates, really?
[QUOTE=PatrickT;38854343]"The Brotherhood's credo was and is, "Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.""
Moderates, really?[/QUOTE]
Do you really think they still believe that and would be able to implement that? These fears of a Theocracy are completely overblown.
[QUOTE=person11;38854689]Do you really think they still believe that and would be able to implement that? These fears of a Theocracy are completely overblown.[/QUOTE]
Have you read their draft constitution? Its very theocratic.
[url]http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egypt-s-draft-constitution-translated[/url]
Not to mention they've already sentenced people to death and jailed people for insulting Islam. They also banned porn not to long ago.
[QUOTE=person11;38854689]Do you really think they still believe that and would be able to implement that? These fears of a Theocracy are completely overblown.[/QUOTE]
As much as they might be overblown, separation of church and state is a very important matter, and if you read their constitution, there are parts which open the door to let the government interfere with the private life of citizens. Even worse, it totally disregards the faith of minorities such as the coptic christians.
[QUOTE=deltasquid;38854913]As much as they might be overblown, separation of church and state is a very important matter, and if you read their constitution, there are parts which open the door to let the government interfere with the private life of citizens. [B]Even worse, it totally disregards the faith of minorities such as the coptic christians.[/B][/QUOTE]
[quote=Draft constitution]The canon principles of Egyptian Christians and Jews are the main source of legislation for their personal status laws, religious affairs, and the selection of their spiritual leaders.

[/quote]
What about secularists.
As neat as that is, all the other articles still reference shariah law and so on as the source of legislation.
A lot of controversy could be avoided if they just based their law system on rationalism and compassion or whatever instead of religion.
Also,
[quote]Al-Azhar is an encompassing independent Islamic institution, with exclusive autonomy over its own affairs, responsible for preaching Islam, theology and the Arabic language in Egypt [b]and the world[/b].[/quote]
Preferably not if that's ok with you.
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