Egypt's constitution vote looms on Saturday

CAIRO // A leading opposition figure warned of more blood on the streets when Egyptians vote on a new constitution championed by president MohamMed Mursi amid a growing political crisis.

In the referendum this Saturday and next, Egyptians must accept or reject a basic law that has to be in place before national elections can be held early next year - an event many hope can steer the Arab world's most populous nation out of its turmoil.

At least seven people have died and hundreds have been injured in violence that erupted three weeks ago after Mr Morsia awarded himself sweeping powers to ram the charter through a drafting body dominated by Islamists and boycotted by the opposition.

Ahmed Said, a leading member of the opposition National Salvation Front, said pushing through the referendum with tension running high on the streets could provoke more violence as rival voters go to the polls.

"During the referendum, I believe there will be blood and a lot of antagonism, so it is not right to hold a referendum," he said. Mr Said, who also heads the liberal Free Egyptians Party, described the vote as too much of a risk with so much "bitterness" prevailing.

Despite a push for a "no" vote from the opposition, the measure is widely expected to pass given the well-organised Muslim Brotherhood's record of winning elections since the fall of Hosni Mubarak almost two years ago. Many Egyptians, tired of turmoil, may simply fall in line.

Also yesterday Egypt's official news agency said the nation's top prosecutor has reinstated the judge investigating last week's deadly violence between supporters and opponents of Mr Morsi. Mr Morsi's appointee Talaat Abdullah took Judge Mustafa Khater off the caseon Wednesday, but Mena says he reversed his decision on Thursday. Mr Khater has released almost all suspects, citing lack of evidence. The move angered Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which claims that most victims were followers.

The divisive referendum risks damaging Mr Morsi's ability to forge a consensus on vital policies to save the economy. It may also fragment an opposition whose present unity may struggle to survive a decisive defeat at the ballot box.

The vote has proved hugely controversial, with supporters of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood fighting in Cairo and other cities with members of the liberal, secular opposition.

The presidential palace, focus of mass street rallies, is ringed by tanks and huge concrete barricades.

Yesterday former US president Jimmy Carter's centre said it would not deploy monitors for the referendum because of the government's late release of regulations for witnesses. The decision reflects concerns that the rushed process leading to Saturday's vote has undermined the legitimacy of the disputed charter. The Carter Center said yeteday that it would not be able to conduct "a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the referendum process." Most Egyptian judges also are boycotting the referendum, saying they will refrain from overseeing the process as stipulated by law.

State television showed on Thursday troops on parade being given orders to protect polling stations and other government buildings.

The opposition says the constitution does not reflect the aspirations of all 83 million Egyptians because it is too Islamist and tramples on minority rights, including those of the Christian community. Mr Morsi's supporters say the constitution is needed to continue the transition to democracy.

This week the opposition staged a major push on the streets to persuade Mr Morsi to postpone the referendum, without success. It was matched by even bigger Islamist demonstrations supporting the vote.

The opposition is now telling its supporters to vote "no". although it has threatened to boycott proceedings if certain guarantees for a fair vote are not met. But staying away from the process could risk a loss of credibility, political experts say.

For the opposition, the margin of any victory may be crucial.

"There is a real chance the result could demoralise the opposition, if the constitution is able to get 70 percent (support) or higher, it might be difficult to recover from that and Mursi is going to claim vindication," said Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Doha Center.

A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood said a vote for the constitution would have practical political benefits for all Egyptians as it would shift legislative power, currently in the hands of the president, to an elected upper house of parliament.

"Say 'yes' for a better future, and distribute power between the institutions so they are not concentrated in one hand," said the Brotherhood's Essam El Erian.

It is a message that might resonate with ordinary Egyptians weary of instability and economic uncertainty.

"Do I like the constitution?" asked Ahmed Helmy, a 35-year-old engineer in Cairo's Tahrir Square. "No, the panel that drafted it was a monopoly. But I want the referendum to take place so we can get out of this prolonged transitional period that's making me and millions of Egyptians wish they had left the country."

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Shadi Ghanim's cartoon, page 10

Comment: Alan Philps, page 10

Editorial, page 11