Despite boycotts, first day of voting in Egypt proceeds
Reuters
2014-01-14
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The doors are shut and the polls are closed.
After 12 hours of voting, day one in Egypt's constitutional referendum is done.
Now as election officials tie up the ballot boxes, citizens wait for the second day of voting to be held Wednesday.
The referendum is expected to pass and give the army-backed government a milestone for its political roadmap.
Some Egyptians boycotted the referendum though, saying the campaign for a "yes" vote was too aggressive.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMR SHALTOOT, SAYING:
"By directing the public opinion towards yes yes yes yes, it has backfired and many will neglect going to cast their vote because they believe it is a 'yes' so why shall they go to cast their votes."
Across the country, 80 observers from Democracy International were deployed as thousands voted.
Dan Murphy, a program manager for the group, says initial reports have been positive.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROGRAM MANAGER FOR DEMOCRACY INTERNATIONA
After 12 hours of voting, day one in Egypt's constitutional referendum is done.
Now as election officials tie up the ballot boxes, citizens wait for the second day of voting to be held Wednesday.
The referendum is expected to pass and give the army-backed government a milestone for its political roadmap.
Some Egyptians boycotted the referendum though, saying the campaign for a "yes" vote was too aggressive.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMR SHALTOOT, SAYING:
"By directing the public opinion towards yes yes yes yes, it has backfired and many will neglect going to cast their vote because they believe it is a 'yes' so why shall they go to cast their votes."
Across the country, 80 observers from Democracy International were deployed as thousands voted.
Dan Murphy, a program manager for the group, says initial reports have been positive.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROGRAM MANAGER FOR DEMOCRACY INTERNATIONA
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