Egyptian voters approve new constitution drafted by Islamists

Announcing the final results of the referendum on the new Constitution live on state-run Nile News TV last night, the High Judicial Elections Commission said nearly two-thirds of voters have supported the proposed charter.

Sixty-three per cent of voters cast "Yes" ballots in two stages, giving Islamists their third straight victory at the polls since Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a 2011 revolution.

Samir Abul Maati, head of the commission, said that out of 51,919,067 eligible voters, 17,058,317 cast their ballots, equalling a turnout of 32.9 per cent.

A total of 10,693,911 voted in favour of the Constitution, while 661,101 or 36.2 per cent said "no." Invalid ballots totalled 303,395, the Egypt Independent newspaper reported.

The draft Constitution was put to a referendum over two stages, with 10 governorates voting on December 15 and the remaining 17 voting a week later.

The Commission said it has thoroughly reviewed all the complaints it received on violations, adding the referendum was held under full judicial supervision at all polling stations since the electoral system prohibits non-judicial officials from overseeing the process, the paper said.

Soon after the results were declared, protests broke out in several parts of the Egyptian capital, with protesters halting traffic and setting tires ablaze.

Major General Hassan el-Bardesy, head of the Cairo Traffic Department, said that protesters numbered around 150 and that arrangements for alternative routes were made.

Prime Minister Hisham Qandil later congratulated the Egyptian people on the new Constitution, saying that the people are the winners and there are no losers.