Egypt to vote on a new constitution. The design ensures the army as much power as never before, military chief Sisi has already announced their intention to stand as president a success of the referendum. The tactic is likely to rise, partly because dissenters are silenced.

He seems a minor miracle that the press conference but still can take place “. Kempinski Hotel The Grand Hyatt has canceled we did not have us, the Four Seasons either,” says Nabil Fikri of the party “Strong Egypt.” Only at the last minute, the smaller Safir hotel in Doki had agreed to give the party a stage.

There sit Nabil and other members of the Politburo of the Centre Party on Monday afternoon in front of a colorful bouquet of microphones and fulminate against the “climate of fear” in Egypt. “He who is not with us is a traitor, according to the principle it is currently in Egypt,” complains Nabil. “The atmosphere in the country is completely poisoned.” Dissenters welcome nowhere. It is possible that his party would soon be banned. “That would be not right, but who still cares?”

The most recent occasion of his wrath is the arrest of seven of his fellow party members. They had stuck in the past few days posters, on which the Egyptians were encouraged to vote in the meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday with No constitutional referendum. The party members should therefore be accused of “terrorist activities”. “Their only crime was to swing a brush,” says Nabil.

The arrest of the activists before the constitutional referendum shows how bad it is to the democratization process in Egypt. Three years after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak duration of a ballot is rigged in advance again. While in Cairo, tens of thousands of posters on street lamps and house walls urging the citizens to vote for the new constitution, will be imposed on anyone who wants to bring a dissenting opinion to be heard.

Egypt New Constitution Vote:New constitution gives the military as much power as never before

Human rights activists see this as a resurgence of the climate of oppression with which the military has precipitated the country a peace of the graveyard in July last year after he took power . ” The Egyptians should be free to speak out for or against the new constitution , without fear of being arrested just because they advertise a No,” said Joe Stork of Human Rights Watch.

The majority of existing Muslim Brotherhood first post- revolutionary government of Egypt had been deposed last July by the military. The mandate to this, the military had procured by they can ask from people in mass demonstrations to intervene. Since then, Egypt is deeply divided : The Muslim Brothers have been forced into illegality , bitter and sometimes also violent. On the other hand, the majority of Egyptians hoping that the transition to democracy in the second attempt and the army as an obstetrician will now succeed.

The new constitution, which was drafted by a hand-picked by the army of Experts, is progressive in parts. It strengthens the rights of women and supports the expanded powers under the Muslim Brotherhood of religious scholars . On the other hand, it speaks to the security forces , especially the army to unprecedented power. The army may continue to determine their own budget and in future also the Secretary of Defense . In addition, the armed forces have the anti – terror fight in the future a free hand against undesirables – such as bill posters of ” Strong Egypt ” – to respond . Even military tribunals for civilians are further in the future possible.

Egypt New Constitution:”Ashamed of me not to the whole world”

But even if the new Constitution may not look like, how many Egyptians have imagined it in the initial euphoria after the revolution, the adoption of the Constitution is considered safe. Although the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and some malcontents have called for a boycott. But the majority of the 50 million eligible voters longs for a fresh start.

The adoption of the Constitution to pave the way for parliamentary and presidential elections. Many Egyptians want General Abd al – Fattah al – Sisi as the President and showing that, by providing Sisi memorabilia on display. After posters, pennants and conclusions followers there are now Sisi chocolates, Sisi watches and gold jewelry, which is decorated with his name.

The general had long left in the dark as to whether he would ask for the highest office in the state to choose from. Last weekend, he said the first time it clear that he would take if the people so wish . He urged voters to signal their support for him with a massive yes vote for the constitution. ” Ashamed of me not to the whole world ,” Sisi said before soldiers. State media carried his appeal to the whole country.

The Army will be watching closely how the referendum will take place , says Nabil Abdel Fattah – , a sociologist at the Al- Ahram Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo , told media . “If say 65 or 70 percent for the Constitution , which is the mandate has been waiting for Sisi . ” Should the result be worse , the army could move forward one vorzuschicken acceptable to candidates and continue to pull the strings in the background.

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