SCAF Amending Constitution Amid Elections

Photo Credit: Mohammed Abed

According to reports from official sources, the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will institute a new constitutional annex within the next 48 hours to expand their power until a new parliament is elected. The annex is expected to make the president the commander in chief of the armed forces, will have the president swear the oath of office before the Supreme Court instead of parliament, and will guarantee all categories of Egyptians will be represented in the constitutional assembly. In addition, some reports say the changes will give the president the power to appoint ministers, call for parliamentary elections, and give pardons.

The announcement comes as Egyptians conclude voting in the second round of presidential elections. Turnout and enthusiasm were reported to be low on the first day, but some report an uptick in turnout to near %40 as voting enters its second and final day. The Morsi and Shafiq campaigns have accused each other of voting violations, which the head of Egypt’s electoral commission Farouk Sultan confirmed. Sultan said, “we observed more breaches committed by one campaign than the other,” but declined to elaborate. Voting has been extended until 10 p.m. with results expected later this week.