Egypt approved the new Constitution in referendum

Egypt approved the new Constitution in a referendum held by the Egypt’s electoral commission on 18 January 2014.The proposed new Constitution was drafted by a 50-member committee headed by Amr Moussa in December 2013.

The new Constitution strengthens the Egypt’s three key institutions the military, the police and the judiciary. Also, it provides for giving more rights to women and disabled people. It removed certain Islamist-leaning clauses while maintaining the principles of Islamic sharia as the main source of legislation.

Main features of new Constitution

• The President can serve a term of four years for two times and can be impeached by the Parliament.

• Islam remains the state religion but it provides for absolute religious freedom giving some protection to minorities (Christians and Jews).

• The state guarantees equality between men and women.

• Parties may not be formed on the grounds of religion, race, gender or geography.

• Military to appoint defence minister for next eight years.

The overwhelming support for the new Constitution is seen as citizens legitimizing military government after the ouster of Morsi in 2013. The referendum shows that citizens of Egypt indirectly support military chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi as Presidential candidate.