Voting queues
Yesterday Egyptians went to the polls to vote on what could be their new constitution. In recent days President Morsi has tried to gain widespread powers which some believe would put the people back into a situation much like before the Arab Spring. This would mean that they had fought long and hard during their revolution for naught.
People power has had some impact and protesters have once more ensured that Morsi has held back. The new Constitution will not please all although it does have some support. In any supposed "free society" it should be a majority decision that wins through. This is why yesterday Egyptians voted.
Voter apathy did not hit this poll. Unlike countries such as the UK, where the problem can be getting people to vote, Egyptians turned out on masse. There were long queues at polling stations as people fired up by their particular beliefs all wanted to have a say.
There were also fears that the vote would not be carried out fairly but rigorous checks were put in place. The first round results are in though and there have been allegations of voter violations.
The vote is in two parts. In the first stage of the vote Islamists have claimed victory. These are the Morsi supporters. The majority was not massive but small at 56.5% in favour of the new consitution. Around 25mil people were eligible to vote.
The victory for the Freedom and Justice Party, the political branch of President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, was not as large as had been anticipated. It remains to be seen whether or not they will hold on to that small majority in the next vote.
Those against the draft constitution claim that it is restrictive and will not take into account any people with religious beliefs other than Islamists. It will take the country politically further to the right and isolate people with liberal beliefs.
The constitution was fast tracked through government, that is for sure. Morsi claims that was to bring peace to the country. His opponents disagree. He was able to hasten its path through parliament using support of hard line Islamist allies.
Western governments have observed that the new constitution could be used to weaken human rights. Is Morsi hoping to take the people back to the dark, pre Arab Spring days once more?
More here
People power has had some impact and protesters have once more ensured that Morsi has held back. The new Constitution will not please all although it does have some support. In any supposed "free society" it should be a majority decision that wins through. This is why yesterday Egyptians voted.
Voter apathy did not hit this poll. Unlike countries such as the UK, where the problem can be getting people to vote, Egyptians turned out on masse. There were long queues at polling stations as people fired up by their particular beliefs all wanted to have a say.
There were also fears that the vote would not be carried out fairly but rigorous checks were put in place. The first round results are in though and there have been allegations of voter violations.
The vote is in two parts. In the first stage of the vote Islamists have claimed victory. These are the Morsi supporters. The majority was not massive but small at 56.5% in favour of the new consitution. Around 25mil people were eligible to vote.
The victory for the Freedom and Justice Party, the political branch of President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, was not as large as had been anticipated. It remains to be seen whether or not they will hold on to that small majority in the next vote.
Those against the draft constitution claim that it is restrictive and will not take into account any people with religious beliefs other than Islamists. It will take the country politically further to the right and isolate people with liberal beliefs.
The constitution was fast tracked through government, that is for sure. Morsi claims that was to bring peace to the country. His opponents disagree. He was able to hasten its path through parliament using support of hard line Islamist allies.
Western governments have observed that the new constitution could be used to weaken human rights. Is Morsi hoping to take the people back to the dark, pre Arab Spring days once more?
More here
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