Egyptian constitutional referendum, 2014
A constitutional referendum was held in Egypt from 14 to 15 January 2014 Egyptians abroad voted already from 8th to 12th January at. Voted on a new constitution of the Republic of Egypt. The new draft constitution, which was reworked into an entirely new constitution, included more rights for citizens and strengthens human rights. At the same time the role of the military should be strengthened. Thus, the draft Constitution provides that the Egyptian defense minister must come from the ranks of the military and military courts may pass judgment civilians. In addition, the design includes a ban on parties based on religion and sects.
The new constitution was approved by 98.1 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was 38.6 percent, which is higher than that of the constitutional referendum in 2012. The Muslim Brotherhood and several opposition groups had previously called for a boycott of the referendum. Election observers criticized a climate of intimidation during the voting. So are " dissenting voices " were arrested.
Following the successful referendum, the Egyptian transitional government announced presidential elections in the spring of 2014.
Background
The request made by the Interim President of Adli Mansur schedule should initially only change the existing constitution and adapt to international human rights standards. This process began with a committee of 10 legal experts. The amended draft had in comparison with the Constitution of 2012 many improvements. The committee completed its work on 20 August 2013.
The second phase of the process involved changes by a committee of 50 experts which were announced on September 1. Amr Mussa was appointed on September 8, as Chairman of the Committee of 50. An entirely new draft constitution was submitted on December 3, 2013 President of Adli Mansur.
Supporters
The new constitution completed with a broad section of society, including liberals, nationalists, leftists and trade unions, as well as the Salafis. Thus began the Tamarod, the largest extra-parliamentary opposition coalition, on 5 December 2013, a campaign of support for the Constitution. The largest Egyptian Trade Union, founded in 1957, the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, called on its members to vote for the Constitution.
The National Salvation Front, the main and largest party alliance, said that they will call for a yes vote on new constitution: So the Egyptian Social Democratic Party will vote for the Constitution. The corresponding to the Salvation Front Party of dignity supported the new constitution as a single party, as the party of the Free Egyptians. The Socialist Popular Alliance and the Socialist Party of Egypt supported the Constitution likewise as individual parties to the Salvation Front.
The people flow under Hamdin Sabahi, the second largest opposition alliance, said that they support the Constitution.
The Salafist party of light also stated that they would support the new constitution.
Criticism and boycotts
The former presidential candidate Khaled Ali rejected the Constitution because it was " inappropriate " for Egypt. The Revolutionary Socialists will vote against them. The road of revolution Front announced on 8 January that it would also vote against it.
The party Strong Egypt and the Youth Movement of April 6 announced to boycott the election.
Election observers
A total of 30,000 polling stations were monitored on the polling days of about 14,000 judges and protected by 160,000 members of the security forces. Together with the Tamarod and the EU as a whole 27,000 Wahlbeobachtende were used for voting.
Result
Of the 681,000 eligible voters abroad have 103,000 voted. In Saudi Arabia alone voted according to the Egyptian embassy there 98% of the voting Egyptians with "Yes".
On January 18, the final outcome of the election commission was announced. After that, 98.1 % of the participants voted for the Constitution, the voter turnout was 38.6% while with only slightly higher than the value of the vote to the last Constitution in 2012.
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