Egypt’s reforms backed by 77% of voters

Official results from Egypt’s referendum on constitutional change on 19 March 2011 showed a large majority of voters supported the reforms sponsored by the country’s military rulers and billed as a first step towards democracy.
The electoral commission said that 77.2% of voters said Yes to the constitutional amendment. Turnout was 41%, much higher than any recent election in Egypt.

Millions of Egyptians turned out to cast their ballots on Saturday, with long queues forming in front of voting stations – an unfamiliar sight in a country where decades of election rigging had alienated the public from politics.

Five weeks after the popular revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak, many voters said they wanted to take part in shaping their country’s future and they were convinced their votes would now make a difference.

ESO: Background information: Ashton to host global conference on north Africa http://www.europeansources.info/record/ashton-to-host-global-conference-on-north-africa/

ESO: Background information: A pact for Euro-Mediterranean stability http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-pact-for-euro-mediterranean-stability/

BBC News, 19.3.2011: Large turnout for Egypt's constitutional referendum http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12793484

BBC News, 20.3.2011: Egypt referendum strongly backs constitution changes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12801125

Deutsche Welle, 21.3.2011: Egyptians back constitutional change to pave way for elections http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14926598,00.html

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