Violence as poll nears on Egypt’s constitution

At least 19 people were reported to have been injured in the violence in Alexandria, which broke out after an ultra-conservative cleric urged worshippers to vote “yes” and described the opposition as “followers of infidels”.

The crisis pits Egypt’s newly empowered Islamists against the country’s mainly secular liberals, minorities such as Christians and many moderate Muslims. Both sides have stepped up their campaigns after weeks of violence.

Thousands of Islamists also filled a square near the presidential palace, raising pictures of President Mohammed Morsi, who has insisted the referendum will begin today as scheduled despite accusations the entire process has been rushed.

A few miles away, the opposition chanted for a “no” vote in a sit-in.

Religious authorities had issued orders that mosques should not be used to manipulate the vote, but several clerics, especially in conservative southern areas, took to the pulpit to tell their congregations that voting in favour of the constitution was seeking victory for Islam.

The crisis began when Mr Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, issued a decree on November 22 giving himself and the assembly writing the draft immunity from judicial oversight so the document could be finalised before an expected court ruling dissolving the panel. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets.

The densely written document was then passed by an 85-member assembly mostly composed of Islamists in a marathon session despite a walkout by secular activists and Christians. Mr Morsi rushed it to a vote scheduled for today and next Saturday, compounding the crisis.

Most of Egypt’s judges are refusing to monitor the vote, although authorities said they would be able to meet the legal obligation to have a judge at each polling station.