83% 'yes' in Egypt referendum

2005-05-26 21:23

Cairo - Eight-three percent of Egyptian voters backed a controversial constitutional amendment contested by the opposition in a referendum on Wednesday on a 53%turnout, the interior ministry said.

The amendment, which had already been approved by both houses of parliament, opens the way for Egypt's first competitive presidential elections next September.

But opposition groups had called for a boycott of the vote, charging that the reform is hollow as its sets near-impossible registration hurdles for any challenger to veteran President Hosni Mubarak.

- AFP