Egypt vote-counting begins - "violation" reported (3rd Lead)

Mar 26, 2007, 19:03 GMT

Cairo - Egyptian polling committees began ballot-counting Monday after voting ended in a referendum on constitutional reforms, with at least one 'violation' and a number of cases of threats to public workers reported.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights said that in the southern Asyut governorate it had monitored local municipality cars broadcasting loudhailer warnings that those not voting would be fined 100 Egyptian pounds (about 17,5 US dollars).

Observers also said public buses were being used across Cairo to take civil servants and workers to vote in the referendum, which has been met by indifference among large sections of the population.

Voter turnout was reported low, although the ruling National Democratic (NDP) party had stated it expected voting to pick up as the day progressed.

Some 35 million Egyptians were called upon to vote at some 30,000 polling stations in the referendum on a package of constitutional reforms put forward by President Hosny Mubarak and his NDP.

Traffic congestion in Cairo was greater than usual amid the security measures put into effect.

At one polling station in a Giza school, several dozen teachers and civil servants reported difficulties with voting procedures.

'My name and the names of my colleagues were enlisted against our will,' said one public school teacher. Another civil servant said she was told her salary would be halved for a month if she did not vote for the amendments.

Voters were allowed to vote only Yes or No for the whole reform package.

Despite statements by the Egyptian government warning critics of the referendum not to stage protests, hundred of activists called for a boycott.

Several hundred lawyers protested in the afternoon in downtown Cairo in front of the law syndicate, denouncing the proposed reform and the referendum.

At least 21 activists and members of opposition parties were detained around Egypt as they attempted to protest against the referendum. Sixteen of those arrested were in Cairo.

Critics of the reforms say that citizens would no longer be protected from encroachments by the state, and opportunities for political participation would be limited further. Some critics said the changes were an attempt to turn Egypt into a police state.

Mubarak and the NDP say the reforms are meant to prevent Islam from being misused for political purposes.

By expanding the police powers regarding arrests and house searches, the reforms would help in the fight against terrorism, the government argues.