Egypt's Constitutional Assembly (CA) members scheduled to vote Thursday on the draft constitution, despite of objections and big demonstrations against the assembly.

Although President Mohamed Morsi gave the assembly two more months till February 12, 2013 to complete its work, the islamist- dominated assembly surprised the whole nation at the end of the nine-hour session Wednesday to put their draft constitution to a final vote Thursday.

In the presence of at least 67 members, the 230 articles in the draft will be put for vote one by one, and the article that can win the two thirds' vote will be approved. If some articles can not win the two thirds' vote, they will be discussed again and approved if they can gain the support from 57 percent of the CA members.

After the vote, the final draft of the constitution will be sent to President Morsi on the same day and waits for a national referendum within two weeks.

The Copts representative, the Journalists Syndicate, and other political forces like Revolutionary Youth Coalition and April 6 movement, along with other non-islamist forces withdrew from the assembly, protesting the dominance of the Islamists in CA which they believe may lead to a less-represented constitution.

President Morsi issued a new constitutional declaration Thursday giving the assembly extra two months, hoping that non- islamists and islamists can reach a consensus on the new charter and finish their work without haste.

Angered by Morsi's declaration, tens of thousands of Egyptian go back to the street and asked Morsi to cancel his decision. Clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsi as well as police forces had killed three and injured more than 500. Many people fear that Egypt will witness a new round of bloodshed and violence. Adding salt to the injuries, the Constitutional Court sets to rule Sunday in lawsuits demanding the dissolving of the beleaguered CA which may further complicates the crisis in Egypt. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)