(AFP PHOTO MOHAMED EL-SHAHED)
The polls are scheduled to open on Tuesday morning to 52,742,139 registered Egyptian voters for the constitutional referendum.
The Supreme Elections Commission (SEC) said that the referendum on the newly amended constitution would be administered across 30,317 subcommittees, 13,867 electoral headquarters, and 11,038 polling centres. The results will then be reported to 352 different general committees spread across the country, according to spokesman of the SEC Hisham Mokhtar.
Mokhtar added that the SEC would release three statements during each day of voting to provide updates concerning the progress of voting. The SEC also said that the official results would be announced within 72 hours after polls close on Wednesday, with ballot counting beginning immediately following the mandated 9pm closing time at polling stations, after which announcements of results from individual committees would begin taking place.
Mokhtar highlighted the stronger penalties implemented against voter fraud in accordance with amendments made by interim President Adly Mansour to Article 46 of the penal code. Instead of detention, the new penalty entails jail time for citizens allegedly committing fraud, which has changed in classification from a misdemeanour to a felony.
In a statement on Monday, Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim said that any attempts to disturb the referendum process would be met with “all strength and firmness”.
Police and the military carried out joint exercises ahead of the poll. The armed forces said it and the police would not tolerate attempts to jeopardise voters’ safety or “tamper with Egypt’s destiny and the future of its great people” in a statement following the exercises.
Over 160,000 army officers and conscripts will secure the constitutional referendum in collaboration with the interior ministry and the SEC. The armed forces spokesman earlier this week said that the security apparatus was ready to face any “likely terrorist threats” and will heighten security measures in sensitive areas including the Suez Canal.
Almost 14,000 judges have been assigned to oversee the polls. Every judge will observe a maximum of three connected subcommittees.
