ICC Note:
Egypt's new Sharia-based constitution has been approved in a second round of voting, raising concerns that the religious freedoms of Christians may soon be abolished.
By Salma Abdelaziz
12/25/2012 Egypt (CNN) – Egyptian voters have approved a new Islamist-backed constitution by a nearly 2 to 1 ratio, an election official said on Tuesday.
More than 10 million, or 63.8%, voted in favor, and more than 6 million, or 36.2%, voted against, Judge Samr Abou El Maaty, head of the High Election Commission, told reporters.
There were two rounds of voting, and the result was expected after the first round.
In that stage, more liberal provinces voted, and the referendum passed in that round with 56.6% of the vote.
In the second round of voting on Saturday, people cast ballots in 17 provinces largely loyal to President Mohamed Morsy and his ruling party -- which backed the constitution.
There was a 32.9% turnout, El Maaty said. Nearly 303,400 votes were excluded because of voting irregularities.
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