DHAKA: Egyptians have voted on a new constitution, in a ballot widely seen as a referendum on the army’s decision to overthrow former President Mohamed Morsi in July last year.

The vote was largely peaceful, but at least 11 people were killed and 28 people wounded across the country during clashes between anti-coup protesters and police, according to the health ministry.

Shortly before polls opened, there was a small explosion outside the courthouse in Imbaba, a neighbourhood on the west bank of Cairo. Nobody was injured in the blast, which police said was caused by a bomb left in a bag outside the court.

The violence highlighted the government`s precarious grip on the most populous Arab nation, still reeling from Morsi`s ouster and a bloody crackdown on his supporters.

The charter is almost certain to be approved: Every referendum in Egypt’s modern history has passed by a comfortable margin, and not a single influential political group is pushing a "no" vote.

Source: aljazeera.com
BDST: 1128 HRS, JAN 15, 2014
MR/RS