Egypt holds referendum on constitutional amendments

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egyptians are voting on a package of constitutional amendments sponsored by Egypt's ruling military in what promises to be their first taste of a free vote in decades, AP reports.

The nationwide referendum is the first major test of the country's transition to democracy after a popular uprising overthrew President Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian rule on Feb. 11.

Voters in the March 19 referendum will be asked to cast ballots to say 'yes' or 'no' to the entire package of nine changes.

A ‘yes’ vote would allow parliamentary and presidential elections to be held this year. A ‘no’ vote could force the military to extend the six-month deadline it has set for the handover of power to an elected civilian government.