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Muslim Brotherhood Releases Egypt’s Preliminary Referendum Results: Majority Votes ‘Yes’

Dec. 22, 2012 10:25pm Liz Klimas

CAIRO (TheBlaze/AP) — Egypt’s disputed constitution has received a “yes” majority of more than 70 percent in the second and final round of voting on the referendum, according to preliminary results released early Sunday by the Muslim Brotherhood.

The results, posted on the Brotherhood’s website, show that 71.4 percent of those who voted Saturday said “yes” after 95.5 percent of the ballots were counted. Only about eight of the 25 million Egyptians eligible to vote – a turnout of about 30 percent – cast their ballots.

Muslim Brotherhood Shows Majority Voted Yes on Egypts Constitution Referendum

An Egyptian woman casts her ballot during a referendum on a new constitution at a polling station in President Mohamed Morsi’s hometown Adwa in the Nile Delta on December 15, 2012. (Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

The referendum on the Islamist-backed charter was held over two days, on Dec. 15 and 22. In the first round, about 56 percent said “yes” to the charter. The turnout then was about 32 percent.

Tweets from Ikhwanweb, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Twitter account for its English speaking website. (Image: Twitter)

The Brotherhood, from which Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hails, has accurately predicted election results in the past by tallying results provided by its representatives at polling centers. Official results would not be announced for several days. When they are, Morsi is expected to call for the election of parliament’s lawmaking, lower chamber no more than two months later.

The low turnout in both rounds is likely to feed a perception of illegitimacy for the constitution, which Islamists say will lay the foundation for a democratic state and the protection of human rights. The opposition charges that it places restrictions on liberties and gives clerics a say over legislation.

Egyptian women perform Friday noon prayer ahead of a demonstration for the Oppostion in Egypt’s landmark Tahrir square on the eve of a referendum on a new draft constitution on December 14, 2012. (Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

The referendum on the constitution has opened divisions in Egypt that are not likely to disappear any time in the near future. Hurriedly adopted by Morsi’s Islamist allies, the charter has left Egypt divided into two camps: The president, his Brotherhood and ultraconservative Islamists known as Salafis in one, and liberals, moderate Muslims and Christians in the other.

The two sides brought hundreds of thousands of supporters to the streets over the past month in rival rallies. Clashes between the two sides left at least 10 people dead and hundreds wounded.

Opposition supporters shout slogans against president Mohammed Morsi during a demonstration in Egypt’s landmark Tahrir square on the eve of a referendum on a new draft constitution on December 14. (Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Before the vote was tallied, NPR reported some of the perspectives from those voting “yes”:

Teacher Nadi Fouad, 42, patiently waited in a block-long line to vote. Dressed in a dapper suit, he said he planned to vote yes for the constitution and yes to stability. In the end, he said, the opposition will accept the results, the same way Egyptians accepted a divisive result during the presidential elections.

“They will opt for democracy, even if they appear to be harsh and revolutionary now,” he said. A man nearby jeered, “Where is Morsi now?”

[...]

“During the days of Mubarak, yes, he stole from us, but there was stability, safety, there was no terrorism,” [Walid Mahmoud Ashri] said. “There are many people who haven’t received their rights — workers, those who are not employed, these people don’t have rights, and these are the majority of the people.”

Nour Osama, 19, told NPR earlier in the day while at a polling station in Giza that although she was voting “no” and knew the referendum would still pass believes “the revolution will carry on, we will protest again and again and again.”

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Comments (36)

BehindBlueEyes
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 12:27pm
Surprise surprise. Well you could have knocked me over with a feather.

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Hawk69
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:54pm
Muslims voting in support of Sharia Law? No surprise here.

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MrKnowItAll
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 4:24pm
What Good would Voter I.D. be in Egypt? All the Woman use the same Photo!

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haytanimore
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 3:05pm
aww yes, peace and democracy had finally come to the middle east…

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lukerw
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:45pm
Ever since the conquest of Egypt by Moslims led by Amr the Aas… the Egyptians have desired to be Free

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sizzler2220
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:01pm
Hey, they deserve what they get! Oh, boy! The burqa sales are gonna go up.

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faithfullistener
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:57pm
The vote was a ‘stacked’ joke and we all know it! I hope the protests from others will continue! The present government is so disappointing! When Islam ‘forces’ its views, etc., upon others I can’t help but object! And I hope others will do as well!!! The people of Egypt, etc., deserve better!!!!!!!!!!

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SPIN_MD
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:32pm
Wow their elections are like ours.

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- sabrinacle
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:02pm
  couldnt have said it better
  
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optionout
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 11:11am
I guess Glenns Caliphate is coming true.

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zoro51
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:23am
muslums dont need a referandum to MURDER they MURDER for no reason already so this referandum is a political stage move nothing less. but a wide view of MURDER.. since MUSLUMS ARE MURDERS.. nothing new here.. they will still rot n hell no allaj no prophet only fires and a room wiht hitler bon laden mousolini and harrod… enjoy…..

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Nathan2004
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:03am
America – The face of the world is changing and rapidly. Thus, so is our country…like it or not. Our allies are changing just as fast….good and bad. Beware

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- Balzy
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:54am
  “The low turnout in both rounds is likely to feed a perception of illegitimacy for the constitution, which Islamists say will lay the foundation for a democratic state and the protection of human rights. The opposition charges that it places restrictions on liberties and gives clerics a say over legislation.”
  
  human rights, my pink furry lil @ss! What part of Shariah law is even remotely democratic?! Under Islamic religious control, you either believe in Allah or die. If you don’t believe me, take it from an Egyptian cleric who knows the Koran and the Hadiths.
  
  http://www.memri.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/3677.htm
  
  does that sound like freedom and democracy to you?
  
  Report this comment
grickm
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:03am
So 71% of Egyptians voted to begin the return of their country to the middle ages. Egypt is heavily dependent on tourism. I wonder how their move backward in time will affect that.

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NOTMOHAMMED
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 7:13am
And Anwar Sadat spins in his grave. Go team 0bama!

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freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:19am
The “woman” in the top photo either has large hand and long fingers (marfans?) Or is a man. Nice watch. Easier to see with smart phone

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- MDDAWG
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:48am
  I wonder if he is a paid MB stooge.
  
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The_Pointy_End
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:47pm
Hmmmm…. Let me get this right, the Muslim Brotherhood counted the votes to determine if the Muslim Brotherhood and its constitution remained in power!? It passed with 71.4% approval…..no kiding? Who could have predicted that outcome.

Here in America we have a saying that goes, “it is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house”

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- Silversmith
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:02am
  yeah, that’s already been done.
  
  Silversmith
  
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- MDECKER
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:15am
  Or the Teamsters, SEIU, Teachers, AFL-KGB, etc…in charge of our election results. Does anybody truthfully believe Obama was re-elected legitimately?
  
  Report this comment
- may40
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 6:58am
  Oh my gosh! What a disaster! Reminds me of a particular vote in our country 1 month ago.
  
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- Wilma
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 8:11am
  Speaking for Florida it has already been done. Silversmith is correct.
  
  Report this comment
- sizzlinsexybeckster
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 1:52am
  Perfectly said! Their country and our country are both voting fraud nightmares with satan’s in charge.
  
  Report this comment
taintso
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:44pm
Look at the picture of the woman at the voting box you can’t see Hillary’s face.

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Walkabout
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:21pm
Obama did this.

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- oldguy49
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:38pm
  a great man once said………..SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE !!!!!
  
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taintso
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:01pm
Which hand do they vote with?

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nzkiwi
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:53pm
The result was a foregone conclusion. The Muslim Brotherhood had no intention of letting their constitution slip from their fingers…

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:27am
  Indeed, the 30% turnout were either of the Muslim Brotherhood, direct supporters of them or those who they could intimidate into voting for them. One more step unto a theocracy of Sharia in Egypt.
  
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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:28am
  I wonder what the world will do, if anything, say if the new Egyptian government decides to shut down the Suez Canal?
  
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crusaderx9
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:46pm
Tyranny of the masses – THAT is why America was formed as a Republic with allegiance to our Constitution – which the chicago machine has sh1t on. Egypt is lost and thanks to obama the Arab Spring will destroy our interests in that region. Good luck Israel – your own Jews voted for an american dictator who has ensured that you will lose any campaign (of any sort) on the world stage on your way to biblical oblivion.

In the end the muslim kenyan banana dictator with the help of liberals and the moron vote killed America by voting for corruption and ignoring our Constitution.

Time to start over…

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- KangarooJack
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:29pm
  Agreed…pretty much “Yep”
  
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gyro
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:43pm
Ha were were the UN election observers ?
Sorry sorry my mistake they are still stuck in texas looking for bad people fixing elections !
Nothing to see here move it along !!!

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howardroark1165
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:38pm
Hmmm – Muslim ballot stuffing – here and abroad…. go figure.

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termyt
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:30pm
Democracy can be used to kill Liberty as fast, and even more effectively, than a tyrant.

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- gyro
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:40pm
  yup
  
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