Three-day referendum on Egyptian constitution

Three days of voting will start on Saturday in a nationwide referendum on proposed changes to Egypt’s constitution that could see President Abdelfattah el-sissi remain in power until 2030.

Lasheen Ibrahim, chairman of the National Election Authority, said the vote will take place from Saturday until Monday for voters in the country while Egyptian expatriates will vote from Friday until Sunday.

The vote was designated for three days to maximise the turnout.

The announcement at a televised news conference in Cairo came less than 24 hours after the parliament, packed with Mr el-sissi’s supporters, overwhelmingly approved the proposed changes that also set to further enshrine the military’s role in politics.

Mr Ibrahim called on voters to line up at ballot boxes across the country to give their opinion about the constitutional amendments.

Addressing the country’s youth, Mr Ibrahim urged them to take part.