CAIRO: A two-day referendum on a new constitution began in Egypt on Tuesday under the military-backed interim government amid tight security measures.
Meanwhile, shortly before voting began‚ an explosive device went off outside a courthouse in the capital Cairo, causing little damage to the front of the building but no casualties.
The referendum on the country’s draft constitution, being held more than six months after the overthrow of the country’s first democratically-elected President Mohamed Morsi, is being seen as a litmus test for the government despite its ongoing violent crackdown on opposition groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood and its allies have already announced to boycott the referendum on the constitution and have planned protests during the next two days.
The government has beefed up security across the country as it has deployed more than 350,000 police and army personnel backed by armored vehicles and helicopters to secure the vote and encourage a high turnout.
On Monday, Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim warned of a harsh crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and said that the army has been put on high alert to deal with anyone attempting to disrupt the vote on a new draft constitution on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The resolve of the police will not falter until we realize the will of the sons of Egypt,” Ibrahim said. “Maximum force and firmness will be used to deal with any attempt to spoil this feast. We will not show leniency toward any action that touches the will of the Egyptian people,” he added.
