Copts vote against constitution changes

In the referendum on Saturday, Copts in Egypt voted predominantly against the proposed changes to the Egyptian constitution. "Egypt's Christians demand a new constitution that introduces a secular system of government. This is not provided for in the proposed constitution," reported the head of the Africa section at the STP, Ulrich Delius, on Monday in Göttingen. "Because the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization the Copts have learned to fear, spoke out for acceptance of the proposed changes, most Christians voted against them." In Upper Egypt, members of the religious minority reported that many Christians were prevented from voting.

In the city of Naga Hammadi, polling places were arbitrarily closed when Copts lined up to vote. One local Coptic priest called the closure of polling locations an outrage. Christians make up the majority of the population in that region. In addition, eyewitnesses reported that Muslim citizens in some polling places were given multiple ballots. The highest judicial committee in Egypt confirmed minor irregularities during the referendum, but claimed they would have no effect on the overall results.

The Copts primarily demand the abolition of the constitution's controversial Article 2, which defines Egypt as a Muslim country. For them, the proposed changes to the constitution - limiting the president to two terms of office, shortening the legislative period from six to four years, and stipulating new criteria for presidential candidates - do not go far enough.

For days leading up to the referendum, several thousand Copts demonstrated in Cairo against violence and the destruction of churches. The demonstrations were ended by military forces, in some cases with violence. Since the beginning of the year at least 47 Copts have been killed in violent fights and attacks.

According to official reports, 77.2 of the votes cast supported the proposed changes to the constitution, while only 22.8 percent voted to reject them. The Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 85 million citizens. Besides the Copts, many liberal and left-wing parties argued for rejection of the changes, demanding instead that a completely new, democratic constitution be written.