The electoral board of Egypt has announced that constitutional changes to extend President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s rule to 2030 has been backed by the country’s majority of voters. Sisi had justified the extension on the grounds that he required longer term to complete the job of restoring security and stability in the country after the overthrow Hosni Mubarak in 2011.Addressing a press conference in Cairo, National Election Authority head Lashin Ibrahim stated that 88.83 percent voters supported the amendments, while 11.17 percent opposed it in a three-day referendum “in a democratic climate powered by freedom’. Around 27 million voters reportedly participated, at a turnout rate of 44.33 percent. However, the pro-democratic activists criticised the exercise saying that counter views were suppressed.
The amendments were approved by Egypt’s Parliament, consisting of mostly Sisi loyalists, last week, According to critics, voters were not given sufficient time to understand the changes to 20 articles. The amendment has enhanced Sisi’s control over the judiciary and the military was granted more influence in Egyptian political life. The consequence of such a long overall control of the political leadership in Egypt has worried analysts. The main outcome is the certainty of the continuity of Sisi for another six years in office after his term ends in 2024. After the military overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi Sisi came to power in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 with more than 97 percent of the vote.
Civil Rights groups have consistently criticised the heavy-handed tactics, of authorities to crush dissent and silence all forms of political opposition.”These constitutional amendments empower the executive and military at the expense of a weakened judiciary and legislature” observed a political analyst.
