REPORT: Ongoing debate over results of referendum on ‘Morsi’s draft constitution’

The first stage of Egypt’s constitution referendum did not contribute in solving the current conflict but on the contrary, deepened the sharp division among Egyptians.     

According to unofficial results of the referendum’s first round, 56% of Egyptians voted in favor of the constitution, thus granting a very timid legitimacy for the decisions of President Mohammad Morsi.    

In the wait of the second round which will be held next Saturday, the National Salvation Front urged all Egyptians to take to the squares to topple what it called the “invalid draft constitution.”    

While Egyptian Human Rights organizations called for a re-do of the referendum’s first round since abuses and violations to the voting process were marked, the High Elections Commission which monitored the referendum denied any violations or fraud.        

In this regard, analysts consider that the narrow loss of the opposition may prompt it to step up its escalatory steps after the results of the referendum’s first round showed that “the constitution satisfies a small majority of Egyptians while the rest have no opinion.”