Egyptians vote for constitutional changes strengthening al-Sisi’s grip on country

Nearly 90% of Egyptian voters have backed constitutional changes that could see President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stay in power until 2030.

The New York Times says “Egypt has another strongman now, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who tightened his dictatorial grip this week when Egyptians approved a set of constitutional amendments that granted him expansive new powers over the judiciary and Parliament while allowing him to remain in office until 2030.

Not surprisingly for a vote that Mr. el-Sisi and his allies stage-managed from the beginning, the authorities said Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the polls closed, that the final count showed the amendments passed 89 percent to 11 percent, with a turnout of 44 percent.”

The Middle East Eye reports “nationwide turnout was low, at only 44 percent, the commission said.

“These (changes) are effective from now as your constitution,”  commission chairman Lasheen Ibrahim told a news conference broadcast on state TV, adding that more than 23.4 million voters had endorsed the changes in the referendum.

The amendments include articles that would give Sisi two more years to his current term, extending his term to 2024. He will also be able to run for an additional six-year term, according to Article 241 in the amendments.”