The controversial constitutional revision allowing the extension of the presidency of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which strengthens its powers and those of the Egyptian army, was approved by referendum to 88,83%, announced Tuesday the National Authority of elections. The president of this body, Lachine Ibrahim, said during a press conference in Cairo that 11.17% of voters "voted against" this reform and that "the participation rate (...) has reached 44 33%. "
The Egyptians voted from Saturday 20 to Monday 22 for or against the amendment of several articles of the Constitution which limited the presidency to two consecutive four-year terms. Lachine Ibrahim insisted on the "democratic" nature of the ballot. But the referendum was held in record time, four days after a vote in parliament, and without any substantive debate on the stakes of the reform. The opposition and human rights NGOs, who have denounced a reinforcement of the regime's "authoritarianism", have been removed from the mainstream media, all of them tightly controlled by the state.
Sissi can be president until 2030
The constitutional revision allows Sissi's second term of office to be extended from four to six years, ending at 2024. The ex-marshal can stand for a third term of six years in the 2024 election. When Sissi came to power in 2014, the NGOs denounced the numerous trials against dissenting voices, the increase in death sentences and the muzzling of the press. The government systematically denies these accusations, insisting on "stability" and "counter-terrorism" in this country located in the heart of a sensitive region.
Beyond the extension of its presidency, the constitutional revision allows to increase its control over the judicial system. It also grants political power to the army, pillar of the Sissi regime.