Democracy Or Dictatorship? Egyptian Voters Are Deciding

Egyptians have begun to cast their votes for or against a referendum on changes to the nation’s constitution. But while the government claims the modifications are a step towards democracy, opponents of the measure charge its passage will only consolidate the government’s power and silence opposition. Opposition to the referendum has united secular and Islamist groups, both of which are boycotting the vote. Key to the changes is a new counter-terrorism law that would give the government broad powers of surveillance and arrest. Political parties based on religion will be banned. Amnesty International has sided with those who claim the constitutional changes are anti-democratic.