RELATED:Clinton visits Tahrir Square in CairoEgypt's ElBaradei says he will run for presidentMoussa says he would maintain Egypt's peace with IsraelA yes vote would also implement judicial supervision over elections, a key element in preventing fraud, and limit the emergency powers that for decades gave security forces virtually unrestrained power. It would also likely mean parliamentary and presidential elections would be held before the end of the year.Critics say the ruling military is rushing the vote, and that the proposed changes are not nearly enough. Opponents of the amendments – including opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei and leading reform parties – want the constitution scrapped entirely to prevent Egypt from ever reverting to autocratic rule.If voters reject the changes, the army may have to extend the six-month deadline it had set for handing power to an elected government. Some critics believe six months is too short a time to implement real governmental change and weed out remnants of Mubarak’s regime. They say the rushed nature of parliamentary ballots would allow those factions currently best organized – the Muslim Brotherhood and Mubarak’s National Democratic Party – to sweep elections.Last week the Brotherhood threw its support behind the referendum measures. “Constitutional amendments are the most suitable, not the most ideal solution for this transitional period that cannot drag for too long,” the movement’s deputy, Khairat Shater, told Reuters. “A new constitution is most ideal but that will take up to a year,” he said.For his part, ElBaradei urged caution. "We are at a decisive period in Egypt's history," he told an Egyptian television station last week. "We shouldn't rush. Everything should be on a solid basis ... I can't rule Egypt for one day under this constitution." ElBaradei – a Nobel laureate and former head of the UN nuclear watchdog - officially confirmed last week that he would be running for president.
Debate rages as Egypt prepares for constitution vote
Analysis: Reformers denounce proposed amendments on presidential term limits, supervision over elections, as too little, too early.
RELATED:Clinton visits Tahrir Square in CairoEgypt's ElBaradei says he will run for presidentMoussa says he would maintain Egypt's peace with IsraelA yes vote would also implement judicial supervision over elections, a key element in preventing fraud, and limit the emergency powers that for decades gave security forces virtually unrestrained power. It would also likely mean parliamentary and presidential elections would be held before the end of the year.Critics say the ruling military is rushing the vote, and that the proposed changes are not nearly enough. Opponents of the amendments – including opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei and leading reform parties – want the constitution scrapped entirely to prevent Egypt from ever reverting to autocratic rule.If voters reject the changes, the army may have to extend the six-month deadline it had set for handing power to an elected government. Some critics believe six months is too short a time to implement real governmental change and weed out remnants of Mubarak’s regime. They say the rushed nature of parliamentary ballots would allow those factions currently best organized – the Muslim Brotherhood and Mubarak’s National Democratic Party – to sweep elections.Last week the Brotherhood threw its support behind the referendum measures. “Constitutional amendments are the most suitable, not the most ideal solution for this transitional period that cannot drag for too long,” the movement’s deputy, Khairat Shater, told Reuters. “A new constitution is most ideal but that will take up to a year,” he said.For his part, ElBaradei urged caution. "We are at a decisive period in Egypt's history," he told an Egyptian television station last week. "We shouldn't rush. Everything should be on a solid basis ... I can't rule Egypt for one day under this constitution." ElBaradei – a Nobel laureate and former head of the UN nuclear watchdog - officially confirmed last week that he would be running for president.