State media: Military chief urges Egyptians to vote in coming constitutional referendum
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Egypt's military chief has urged Egyptians to vote in next week's constitutional referendum, describing its passage as a step on the way to progress.
Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi spoke at a military-organized function Saturday. State news agency MENA carried his comments.
More than 52 million Egyptians are to vote Tuesday and Wednesday on a heavily amended version of an Islamist-drafted charter enacted under toppled Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
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The 2012 charter was one of the main reasons fueling opposition to Morsi, prompting massive protests against him. The military, under el-Sissi's command, then removed Morsi from office.
A large turnout and a strong "yes" vote would give legitimacy and a boost to the political plan endorsed by el-Sissi calling for subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections.