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Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Egypt On Verge Of Passing New Constitution

Danny Lee |
December 22, 2012 | 4:47 p.m. PST

Executive Producer

Opponents say the new constitution ignores rights of women and the country's Christian minority. (Creative Commons)
Opponents say the new constitution ignores rights of women and the country's Christian minority. (Creative Commons)
Early indications showed Egyptians approved an Islamist-drafted constitution after Saturday's final round of voting in a referendum that critics have considered divisive, Reuters reported.

An official from the Muslim Brotherhood's political party, which supports Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, said that a majority of 74 percent favored the constitution. Exit polls from the opposition National Salvation Front also showed the constitution passing. The referendum committee may not declare official results until Monday.

Islamist backers of Morsi assert that the constitution is crucial to moving democracy forward and bringing economic stability to a nation two years removed from overthrowing authoritarian ruler Hosni Mubarak out of power. However, opponents accuse Morsi of pushing through a text that would marginalize Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the population, in addition to women.

 

Read the full story at Reuters. Find more Neon Tommy coverage of Egypt here.

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