Egypt begins voting in referendum aimed at extending Sisi’s rule

Egyptians have begun voting in a referendum on proposed constitutional amendments to extend President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's rule.

State television on Saturday showed images of Sisi casting his ballot at a polling station in the eastern suburb of Heliopolis.

The 596-member assembly is packed with Sisi supporters, with 531 of the 554 legislators who attended the vote opting in favor of the constitutional changes.

The ballot will run between April 20-22 and will also see voters decide on whether an upper parliamentary the chamber should be created.

Supporters argue that El-Sisi has stabilized Egypt and needs more time to complete crucial economic reforms. Critics say they fear that the changes will further limit the space for dissent.

An amendment to Article 140 of the constitution extends the presidential term to six years from four. An outright bar on any president serving more than two terms will change to a bar on serving more than two consecutive terms. An additional clause extends El-Sisi’s current term to six years from four currently since his election victory in 2018, and allows him to run for a third term in 2024.

The amendments provide for the creation of a second parliamentary chamber known as the Council of Senators. It would have 180 members, two-thirds elected by the public and the rest appointed by the president.

Article 200 of the constitution on the role of the military is expanded, giving the military a duty to protect “the constitution and democracy and the fundamental makeup of the country and its civil nature, the gains of the people and the rights and freedoms of individuals.”

The amendments also create the post of vice president, allowing the president to appoint one or more deputies.

They task the president with choosing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of senior candidates pre-selected by the judiciary. They further create a quota setting women’s representation in Parliament at a minimum of 25 percent.