Security was tight on Tuesday as Egyptians went to the polls in a two-day referendum on a new constitution.<br /><br />Reportedly as many as nine people were killed in clashes between police and supporters of ousted President Mohammed Mursi nationwide.<br /><br />The new charter has been drafted to replace the one introduced by the Islamist Mursi. <br /><br />Among those going to vote, one woman said: “If we want changes to a number of articles, we can do it later. In general it is a good constitution, it’s not the best in world, nothing in the world is perfect, but it is a good start and we have been waiting patiently.”<br /><br />The interim government believes a ‘yes’ vote is crucial for the stability of the country that has been in turmoil since Hosni Mubarak was toppled in 2011.<br /><br />“We hope things will go well and people are at ease. People are interested, old people are interested and we expect a good turnout after two days.” said another voter.<br /><br />The Muslim Brotherhood, now classified as a terrorist organisation by the government, has boycotted the poll, but turnout appears steady:<br /><br />Reporting from a Cairo polling station, euronews Middle East correspondent Mohammed Shaikhibrahim said: “The main question the Egyptian people have is – ‘Will the fundamental human rights articles included in the new draft constitution be implemented or ignored?’ If they are ignored, that constitution is dead in the water.”
