Egyptians participating in the referendum on constitution amendments Saturday said they will accept the result of the referendum and ruled out the possibility that the results will spark an outbreak of violence.
The controversial package of amendments to the 1971 Constitution has been rejected by many pro-democracy forces who say they want an entirely new constitution.
Several voters said they believe the voting process was transparent with no attempts at tipping the balance in favor of either result.
Millions of Egyptians headed to polling stations in the first vote following the collapse of the regime of ex-President Hosni Mubarak.
“I have voted against the amendments, but I will accept the result of the referendum, even if it is a 'yes'," said Askar Ahmed, a 63-year-old engineer. "In the past, I never voted because the result was known beforehand: It was in favor of what the National Democratic Party wanted. Now, the polling box has the final word. I feel my vote counts.”
Helmi Saeed, 56, a teacher, said this is the first time for him to vote, adding that only the voting box will determine the result of the vote.
“My vote will shape the coming stage. I want my vote to determine how the future will be,” Saeed said.
Outside the polling stations, voters were divided.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the biggest opposition group in Egypt, launched campaigns and organized popular conferences to support the amendments. Several businessmen, believed to support the NDP, have also launched campaigns to call for a “yes” vote.
Ahmed Hassan, 45, a clothes shop owner, said he voted in favor of the amendments. “I want stability to be restored quickly. Our trade has been severely affected over the past period,” he said.
Still Hassan said he would accept the outcome of the referendum whatever it is.
Past referendums in Egypt have often seen clashes between voters and incidents of thuggery. The latest parliamentary elections in November led to violent clashes and several were killed. Police stations were also attacked.
