Morsy signs Egypt's constitution into law

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy signed a decree putting into effect his country's newly approved constitution, the state-run Egynews reported Wednesday.

His signature came after Egyptian voters approved the Islamist-backed constitution by what an election official said Tuesday was a nearly 2 to 1 ratio.

During the two rounds of voting, more than 10 million, or 63.8%, voted in favor, and more than 6 million, or 36.2%, voted against, Judge Samr Abou El Maaty, head of the High Election Commission, told reporters.

The referendum passed with 56.6% of the vote in the first round on December 15, when more liberal provinces voted.

In the second round of voting, on December 22, people cast ballots in 17 provinces largely loyal to Morsy and his ruling party -- which backed the constitution.

There was a 32.9% turnout, El Maaty said. Nearly 303,400 votes were excluded because of voting irregularities.

Controversy among Egypt's society and institutions had accompanied the draft constitution since its inception.