Egypt voters backs constitutional changes

Supporters of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi have claimed victory after almost 90% of Egyptian voters backed sweeping constitutional changes that could result in him ruling until 2030.

Election officials claimed 88.8% of voters had confirmed the changes, with a turnout of 44%. The results overhaul the 2014 constitution: they extend presidential term limits to six years, allowing Sisi to run for re-election in 2024; expand presidential control over the judiciary, and enshrine the military’s role in politics.

“These (changes) are effective from now as your constitution,” commission Chairman Lasheen Ibrahim said after he announced the result on state TV, adding that more than 23.4 million voters had endorsed the changes in the referendum.

The changes will also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates, and give Egypt’s powerful military the role of protecting “the constitution and democracy”.

Egyptian politicians triggered the referendum when 531 out of 596 lawmakers voted in favour of the changes last week.

Michele Dunne, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, questioned the credibility of the turnout figure announced.

“Rather than being a reflection of actual data, the announced 44 percent turnout is more likely an attempt to portray this as the most legitimate constitutional referendum, as it has the highest turnout ever reported,” she said.

The electoral commission said on Monday afternoon it had not received any formal complaints about any irregularities.

The commission says it has strict measures to ensure a fair and free vote, posting judges at each polling station and using special ink to prevent multiple voting.

Sisi expressed his “appreciation and pride” on Twitter to the Egyptian people who he said had “dazzled the world with their awareness of the challenges” facing Egypt by participating in the referendum.

Sisi’s supporters say he has stabilised Egypt and needs more time to reform and develop the economy.

Critics fear the constitutional changes will shrink any remaining space for political competition and debate, paving the way for a long period of one-man rule.