Supporters of Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi raise their hands with four raised fingers that became a symbol for the supporters during a rally in Cairo’s Nasr City district, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour on Sunday banned public gatherings of more than 10 people without prior government approval, imposing hefty fines and prison terms for violators in a bid to stifle the near-constant protests roiling the country. (AP Photo/Ahmed Abd el-Latif)
Mideast Egypt
Supporters of Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi cover their faces during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. Arabic on the poster reads, “Mandela of the Arabs”, as a reference to former South African President Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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CAIRO (AP) — A referendum on Egypt’s amended constitution is likely to take place in second half of January, a key first step in the country’s political transition after the July ouster of President Mohammed Morsi, the interim prime minister said Monday.
A 50-member appointed panel has been amending the 2012 constitution that was mainly drafted by Islamists and approved during Morsi’s one-year presidency. The panel has been working mainly in closed-door sessions amid rising concerns over the powers it will give the president and the military.
Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi called the referendum the “most critical moment” for Egypt. He did not give a firm date, saying only that it was expected in the second half of January. But his comments carried by the state news agency MENA were the most precise timeframe given yet for the vote.
The military-backed government has touted the referendum as the first firm step to establishing the post-Morsi political order. Passage of the constitution is to be followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.
Authorities are hoping the draft wins with more than the 63 percent of the vote that the Morsi-era constitution garnered in a 2012 referendum.
A campaign urging the public to vote in the referendum is already in full swing. “Let them know our size,” is a prominent refrain in the radio and TV campaign calling on people to take part. In his comments Monday, el-Beblawi urged people not to “give up their right” to vote in the constitution.
Morsi supporters have been protesting against the interim authorities and demanding Morsi’ reinstatement since he was ousted. They refuse to recognize the current government and it is likely they will campaign against the referendum — whether by urging a “no” or a boycott or holding protests during the voting.
The spokesman for the High Elections Committee, Hesham Mukhtar, said el-Beblawi’s announcement is an “expectation” and not a decision. The date for the referendum, Mukhtar told reporters, is to be set by the interim president.
Six international organizations and 67 local groups have been approved to monitor the referendum, Mukhtar said. So far 20,000 observers have registered to monitor the vote, said commission official Ahmed el-Suheim.
The panel amending the constitution has pushed back voting on the final draft for the amended charter until Saturday, amid rising differences on key issues, including the powers of the president, an article that give the military the right to try civilians, and demands by Islamists to preserve articles enshrining the role of Islam in politics.
