Egyptian constitution 'approved' in referendum

Egyptians appear to have approved a controversial new constitution in a referendum, unofficial and preliminary results indicate.

Results reported by state media suggest that some 63% of voters backed the charter over two rounds of polling.

Critics say the document, which has triggered mass protests, betrays the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

President Mohammed Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say it will secure democracy and encourage stability.

Official results are not expected until Monday, after appeals are heard. If the constitution passes, parliamentary elections must take place within three months.

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Analysis

Shaimaa Khalil
BBC News, Cairo
It's difficult to view the results of the referendum on the draft constitution without putting them in the context of the growing influence of Islamists in politics here in Egypt.

Many of those who went out to vote did not just give their backing or voice their objection to the constitution, but also to president Morsi and his group the Muslim Brotherhood. If indeed the constitution passes it's another sign of how organised and effective Islamists are in the political process.

There's a lot at stake here. This document determines Egypt's future and the relationship between Egyptians and the presidency among the other main institutions. But the opposition say that, as it stands, the constitution is determining the future of the country on Islamists' terms.

This constitution has managed to deeply polarise the country, and it's hard to see this division going away anytime soon no matter what the result is.

Egypt vote 'shows Islamist power'
Turnout was estimated at 30%. The opposition said voting in both rounds had been marred by abuses.

Violations in the second round on Saturday included polling stations opening late and Islamists seeking to influence voters, the opposition said.

The second round was held in the 17 provinces that did not vote in the first round on 15 December. Some 25 million people were eligible to vote in the second round, about 51 million across the two rounds.

The Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement, which supports Mr Morsi and the new constitution, said early on Sunday that, with most second round votes counted, more than 70% were in favour.

The opposition National Salvation Front also said the "Yes" vote appeared to have won, though spokesman Khaled Daoud said the Front felt "empowered".

"We proved that at least we are half of society [that] doesn't approve of all this. We will build on it," he said.

In the first round, on 15 December, turnout was reported to be just above 30% with unofficial counts suggesting some 56% of those who cast ballots voted in favour of the draft.

Opponents have said the draft constitution fails to protect the freedoms and human rights that they sought in the uprising that ended Mr Mubarak's rule last year.

They accuse the president of pushing through a text that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians, who make up about 10% of the population.