CAIRO – More than 98 percent of voters backed a new Egyptian constitution in a referendum this week, authorities said on Saturday, though the turnout was lower than some officials had indicated, with under 40 percent of the electorate taking part.
The vote advances a transition plan that the military-backed government unveiled after deposing Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last July following mass unrest over his rule.
“Now that God has supported us in legalizing our constitution, we ask for his aid in achieving the remaining two stages of the road map: the presidential and parliamentary elections,” said Nabil Salib, head of the Supreme Election Committee.
The “yes” vote was 98.1 percent, and 38.6 percent of eligible voters took part, Salib told reporters. (more…)













