Egyptians voting in referendum on constitutional amendments

The referendum has divided Egypt in two: those who say the constitution needs a complete rewrite and others who argue the amendments will suffice for now.

The polls opened at 8 am and will close at 7 pm. A member of a judicial committee involved in overseeing the votes said the result is expected to be announced tomorrow evening or on Monday morning.

Hundreds of people have been queuing in front of voting offices since early in the morning. This referendum will mark the date in Egypt’s history following the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak on February 11.

The reforms are designed to open the door to legislative and presidential elections that will allow the military to hand power to a civilian, elected government.

One of the reforms, drawn up by a judicial committee formed by the military rulers, limits the amount of time a president can stay in office to two four-year terms. Mubarak had lasted three decades in power.