Egyptian voters have overwhelmingly backed constitutional changes that could see President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule extended to 2030, the electoral board said Tuesday (April 23rd).
National Election Authority head Lashin Ibrahim told a Cairo press conference that 88.83% voted "yes" in a referendum on the amendments, with 11.17% voting "no".
The three-day vote took place "in a democratic climate powered by freedom," he added.
Parliament voted in favour of the constitutional amendments last week.
Rights groups have criticised the conditions surrounding the rushed vote, including the suppression of those opposing the sweeping changes that consolidate al-Sisi’s power, AFP reported.
Voters were given less than a week to digest the changes to 20 articles, which include allowing al-Sisi to run for another six-year term after his current term ends.
His term was originally scheduled to end in 2022, but has now been extended to 2024.
