Egyptians vote on constitutional amendments
The Egyptians, starting Saturday, began casting ballots on constitutional amendments that would allow for the extension of the second term of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to six years.
Egyptians will cast their votes on Saturday and three days on constitutional amendments that will allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to extend his second term for six years.
Some 62 million voters, according to the National Electoral Commission, were invited to the referendum, which is due to be announced on 27 April.
A week ago, the streets of Cairo and other cities of the country were filled with banners calling for a "yes" vote on changes in the 2014 constitution, which sets the number of presidential terms to four for four years.
Ad campaigns were also published in newspapers.
The amendments allow for the extension of the second term of the Sisi to six years, allowing him to remain in office until 2024. He may then run for another term allowing him to remain in power until 2030.
The Egyptian parliament voted overwhelmingly from 531 votes out of 554 deputies on Tuesday to the amendments, which included extending the term of office.
In addition to prolonging the presidential term, the amendments also provide for the reinstatement of the former Shura Council, which had been repealed by the 2012 constitution, following the 2011 uprising that led to the fall of Hosni Mubarak's regime.
The President will also have the right to choose the presidents of the judicial bodies, the President of the Constitutional Court and the Attorney-General, and may appoint one or more deputies. The amendments included a 25 percent quota for women in parliament.
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