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A supporter of the opposition to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi plays football next to a Republican Guard tank in Cairo/AFP

Africa

Divided Egypt votes on new constitution

Ali Mohammed Ali, an unemployed 65-year-old wearing a traditional long robe, said: “I voted for Morsi and it was a mistake, a big mistake. This constitution is bad, especially because it doesn’t forbid child labour and opens the way for the marriage of minors.”

Nagat Radi, a veiled woman in her 50s, said many articles in the draft constitution were problematic “and will hurt our country and our children.”

She added: “The people are going in one direction and the Brothers in another. Those voting ‘yes’ believe it is a gesture of piety and obedience to the president.”

Others were in favour of the proposed charter.

Enayat Sayyed Mostafa, a retired woman, said: “I’m voting for stability and for Dr Morsi’s promised programme of renewal. I have gone over the text to compare it with what the opposition is saying, and what they say is false. It’s a good constitution.”

The referendum was only made possible after Morsi assumed sweeping powers that stripped courts of the right to annul the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly that drafted the charter.

Morsi was forced to rescind his powers after mass protests outside his palace in northern Cairo led to the worst violence between the opposition and Islamists since his election in June.

International watchdogs, including the UN human rights chief, the United States and European Union, have expressed reservations about the draft because of loopholes that could be used to weaken human rights, including those of women, and the independence of the judiciary.

Analysts said the proven ability of the Muslim Brotherhood movement to muster voters was likely – but not certain – to ensure that the draft constitution is passed.

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