EGYPTIANS GO to the polls today to vote on amendments to the country’s constitution in a referendum.
The first popular consultation since the ousting five weeks ago of Hosni Mubarak, the vote was decreed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which had assumed presidential powers, to prepare for early parliamentary and presidential elections. The generals initially said their aim was to hand over power to an elected government within six months of Mr Mubarak’s fall, but this could be extended until the end of the year.
The amendments have the backing of the Muslim Brotherhood, other parties rooted in Muslim activism, and the remnants of the former ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). Some secular leftists also support the amendments on the ground that the SCAF, which they do not trust, must stick to its timetable. They argue the army is trying to block or retard sweeping democratic changes.
The January 25th Youth Coalition, which speaks for the democracy movement, has, however, called for a No vote, arguing the 1971 constitution gives the president far-reaching powers and should be scrapped.
The coalition calls for the SCAF to hand over to an interim presidential council comprised of two civilians and one military man. This body would form a commission to draft a new constitution within 60 to 90 days and hold presidential and parliamentary elections after a year or 18 months.
The coalition contends if elections are held in line with the generals’ schedule, the chief winners would be the brotherhood and the NDP because they are the only parties organised on the ground.
Veteran opposition parties suppressed during Mr Mubarak’s regime and new parties need time to court constituencies. Free media needs a chance to emerge.
Christian Copts have come out strongly against the amendments. They seek a new, entirely secular constitution, which would exclude a provision in the 1971 text which designates Sharia, Muslim canon law, as the source of law in Egypt.
Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, mentor of the democracy movement, has said retaining an amended 1971 constitution would be an “insult to the revolution”. A declared presidential candidate, Dr ElBaradei said drafting a new constitution was “doable”, even within a six-month transitional period, but asked, “Why rush at the expense of democracy?”
Outgoing Arab League chief Amr Moussa – another presidential candidate – has also declared his opposition to the amendments, as have leading figures in the judiciary who have analysed proposed changes in the media.
In response to criticisms, the brotherhood posted an article on its website accusing opponents of engaging in a “suspicious campaign,” allegedly funded by the US and designed to “deceive the pu- blic”, with the aim of encouraging “rejection of the amendments”.
The article was removed from the site promptly after the brotherhood was accused of stooping to smear and scare tactics used by the NDP during the Mubarak era.
Defeat of the amendments could constitute a major blow to the generals’ agenda and boost the democrats’ transition plan.
