Egyptians overwhelmingly voted in favor of Army-backed constitutional amendments in a referendum held over the weekend. Some 77.2% of Egyptians voted Yes for amendments capping future President’s stay in office to eight years on a maximum of two four-year terms, and giving the judiciary, instead of the police, full responsibility of any future electoral process. Turnout in the referendum reached an impressive 41 percent, with some 18 million Egyptians, out of 44 million eligible voters, taking part. The voting went without an incident, in an atmosphere of celebration, as Egyptians enjoyed taking matters of their nation’s affairs into their own hands for the first time in modern history.
The process was declared free and fair by local and international monitors.
Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, himself one of the leaders of the 25th of January revolution, had said whatever the outcome of the vote, it had to be and would be respected by all Egyptians.
The result is considered a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, seen as Egypt’s strongest political force at the moment, having lobbied for a Yes vote.
The No campaigners, who got just 22.8% of votes, had argued that the country needs a brand new constitution after the revolution and not just an amended one.