Polling stations opened on Saturday in Egypt for a referendum on constitutional amendments that the country's military rulers hope will open the way to elections within six months, Reuters reports.
The reforms are designed to open the door to legislative and presidential elections that will allow the military to hand power to a civilian, elected government.
The vote has divided Egypt between those who say much deeper constitutional change is needed and others who argue that the amendments will suffice for now.
According to News24 agency, Arab League chief Amr Mussa hailed a huge turnout for a landmark referendum in Egypt. Queues had formed outside voting centres even before polls opened at 08:00 (06:00 GMT), something unheard of in the Mubarak-era when turnout for elections was always tiny as voters assumed their ballots would make no difference.
The estimated 45 million eligible voters are being asked to say "yes" or "no" to a package of constitutional amendments drawn up by a panel of civilian experts appointed by the military that are intended to pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections within six months.
Egypt holds referendum on constitutional amendments
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