Egyptians vote on disputed constitution

In Suez governorate, Nazeef Ahmed, 60, told Xinhua that he rejects the constitution because it was written by a part of Egyptians, not by the whole Egyptians. "If this constitution passes, the fate of Egypt will turn to be the worst in its history, " he said.

"I will say 'No' of course!" said Radwa Hamed, a 33-year-old teacher, while waiting in a long queue at her polling station at Sheikh Zayed District, 6th of October City, Giza. "This constitution has a lot of articles that would ruin Egypt and it was written by dishonest people whom we don't trust," she added.

An official counts "agree" ballots after polls closed in Bani Sweif, about 115 km (71 miles) South of Cairo Dec 22, 2012. Early indications showed Egyptians approved an Islamist-drafted constitution after Saturday's final round of voting in a referendum despite opposition criticism of the measure as divisive. [Photo/Agencies]

A face-veiled woman, 41, identifying herself Umm al-Loay, said she accepts the constitution in general and will tick "yes" on it, even if there are some concerns.

"Even if there are some concerns on the constitution, they can be modified through the parliament. Stabilizing the country is very urgent now," she said.

Karam Abdel Baky, 57, said "It is really a good day for me to come and express my mind, and the process is going very smoothly."

"I will say yes to the constitution as it is full of freedom and supports the economy," added Abdel Baky at the polling station of Yousef Gadallah school in Haram district of Giza.

For its part, Egyptian Foreign Ministry has sent the Egyptian expatriates' voting results to the Supreme Election Commission on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Assistant for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Ali al-Ashiri was quoted Saturday by official MENA as saying that the ministry has fulfilled its role in this respect after handing over the voting results, refusing to reveal any details.

Egyptian embassies and consulates abroad have announced the results separately after counting votes, al-Ashiri said, stressing the voting results of Egyptian expatriates will be unveiled by the electoral commission with the general voting results of the referendum in Egypt.

About 235,000 Egyptian expatriates among a total of 586,000 were qualified to cast their ballots in Egyptian embassies and consulates overseas from December 12 to Dec 17.

Late November, 85 members of the beleaguered Constituent Assembly (CA) approved the draft constitution after a 17-hour marathon vote. Morsi then called on Egyptians to cast their votes in the referendum.

Most liberals, leftists and Copts consider the draft written by the Islamist-dominated assembly does not represent all Egyptians, especially after major representatives of the civil camp had withdrawn from the assembly due to unbridgeable division with the Islamic side on some of the articles.

Head of the civil al-Wafd Party Sayyed al-Badawi said Saturday that it is likely that parties of the opposition National Salvation Front will boycott the parliamentary elections expected to take place in about two months in case the constitution is approved, official MENA reported.

Initial results show a turnout of about 31 percent in the first stage of referendum last week, with 56 percent of voters approving the draft constitution.