Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 26, 2007

Egyptians Vote in Controversial Constitutional Referendum
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16CD31C:A6F02AD83191E1603F1D0A9720D47A429574F7DCC14957C0 34 proposed
amendments would give government new, sweeping security powers, reduce
role of judges in monitoring elections





Man casts his vote in constitutional referendum at polling station in
Manial Island area of Cairo, 26 Mar. 2007

Voter turnout is low in Egypt for a referendum on constitutional
amendments opposition parties say would strengthen the ruling party's
grip on power.

Opposition parties called for a boycott of the referendum and polling
stations Monday were largely deserted except for groups of government
workers. 

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his ruling National Democratic
Party say the changes will help build democracy and fight terrorism.

The 34 proposed amendments would give the government sweeping security
powers and reduce the role of judges in monitoring elections.  The
proposals would also ban religious groups from forming political
parties.

There is no minimum percentage of voter turnout required for the
measures to pass.

The Egyptian parliament approved the 34 amendments last week.

Human rights group Amnesty International calls the proposed
constitutional changes the most serious erosion of human rights
safeguards in Egypt since a state-of-emergency was declared in 1981
when Mr. Mubarak took office after the assassination of President
Anwar Sadat.

The United States also has voiced concern about the proposed changes.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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