As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-votes-in-referendum-that-could-keep-sisi-in-power-until-2030-212203">snap referendum</a> in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come.

The three-day ballot saw constitutional changes sail through that allow the former military chief to stay in power until 2030, boost his control over the judiciary and give the army even greater influence in political life.&nbsp;

Amid&nbsp;criticism that Sisi has silenced opposition and cracked down on freedoms, officials said more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egyptians-vote-for-second-day-in-referendum-on-keeping-sisi-in-power-212493">88 per cent of ballots</a> cast were for "yes".

The government has "made sure Egyptians don't see any credible alternative to Sisi so that they don't start to imagine an Egypt that is ruled by anyone else," said Timothy Kaldas, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

The vote in the Arab world's most populous country came on the heels of uprisings that have forced veteran leaders in Algeria and Sudan to step down earlier this month.

And Kaldas said after years of turmoil that saw the ouster of long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak and his Islamist successor Mohamed Morsi, stability remains a priority for many Egyptians.

"Undoubtedly some still support Sisi and believe that he has prevented Egypt from suffering the fate of neighbours," he said.&nbsp;

"For most Egyptians, they believe they've overthrown two presidents and seen their quality of life get worse each time, so there's little faith that a third uprising will improve the situation."

Around 27 million votes were cast, with a turnout rate of 44.33 per cent, at the referendum after it was called and held within a matter of days. &nbsp;

The amendments prolong Sisi's current term to 2024 from 2022 and allow him to then run for another six-year term.

"The country is on the right track and it's stable... it's logical that Sisi is given his full chance to finish what he started," said Mervat Abdel Fattah, a housewife in her fifties.

After the result state television broadcast images of Sisi supporters waving flags and blaring national tunes in Tahrir Square -- the site of angry protests that toppled his two predecessors.&nbsp;

No 'unified' opposition&nbsp;

Analysts put Sisi's thumping victory down to the fractured state of Egypt's marginalised opposition and the use of state resources to back the changes.

The opposition's lack of political power and the absence of "a unified stance on the referendum" helped Sisi to an easy win, said Ziad Aqel, political sociology expert at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

Especially when coupled with "mobilisation" at the ballot box by state bodies, he added.

While people did take to the streets to celebrate, Aqel said their behaviour was "typical" of a political process controlled almost entirely by the state.

The New York-based Soufan Center said before the vote that the amendments helped "solidify Sisi's grip"&nbsp;on Egyptian politics.

The absence of public opposition to the constitutional changes was "likely a result of the oppressive nature of the Egyptian government", it said in a report published last week.

Bucking the trend&nbsp;

As army chief of staff at the time, Sisi led the military's overthrow of elected president Morsi in 2013 following mass protests against the Islamist leader's rule.

Sisi won his first term as president in 2014, three years after the uprising that toppled Mubarak, and was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote, after standing virtually unopposed.

His government has been widely criticised by human rights groups for the repression of political opponents, thousands of whom have been jailed.

Sisi's security services rely on a policy of silencing dissidents on social networks, which played a key role in the overthrow of Mubarak.

Reporters Without Borders says there are 33 journalists in Egyptian jail -- accusations authorities deny, saying they have no political prisoners.

Egypt's referendum and its outcome have bucked the trend in neighbouring countries like Sudan, where protesters succeeded earlier this month in ousting Omar al-Bashir after 30 years of iron-fisted rule.&nbsp;

Now Sudanese protesters are demanding the military, which took power after helping to topple the veteran leader, hand over the reins to a civilian administration.

That came little more than a week after an uprising in Algeria forced long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down.&nbsp;

Protesters there have since kept up their rallies, calling for a complete overhaul of the country's political system.

As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come.

As mass protests rock other Arab countries, a snap referendum in Egypt has gone against the grain and cemented President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule for years to come. The three-day ballot saw constitutional changes sail through that allow the former military chief to stay in power until 2030, boost his control over the judiciary and give the army even greater influence in political life. Amid criticism that Sisi has silenced opposition and cracked down on freedoms, officials said more than 88 per cent of ballots cast were for "yes". The government has "made sure Egyptians don't see any credible alternative to Sisi so that they don't start to imagine an Egypt that is ruled by anyone else," said Timothy Kaldas, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. The vote in the Arab world's most populous country came on the heels of uprisings that have forced veteran leaders in Algeria and Sudan to step down earlier this month. And Kaldas said after years of turmoil that saw the ouster of long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak and his Islamist successor Mohamed Morsi, stability remains a priority for many Egyptians. "Undoubtedly some still support Sisi and believe that he has prevented Egypt from suffering the fate of neighbours," he said. "For most Egyptians, they believe they've overthrown two presidents and seen their quality of life get worse each time, so there's little faith that a third uprising will improve the situation." Around 27 million votes were cast, with a turnout rate of 44.33 per cent, at the referendum after it was called and held within a matter of days. The amendments prolong Sisi's current term to 2024 from 2022 and allow him to then run for another six-year term. "The country is on the right track and it's stable... it's logical that Sisi is given his full chance to finish what he started," said Mervat Abdel Fattah, a housewife in her fifties. After the result state television broadcast images of Sisi supporters waving flags and blaring national tunes in Tahrir Square -- the site of angry protests that toppled his two predecessors. No 'unified' opposition Analysts put Sisi's thumping victory down to the fractured state of Egypt's marginalised opposition and the use of state resources to back the changes. The opposition's lack of political power and the absence of "a unified stance on the referendum" helped Sisi to an easy win, said Ziad Aqel, political sociology expert at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. Especially when coupled with "mobilisation" at the ballot box by state bodies, he added. While people did take to the streets to celebrate, Aqel said their behaviour was "typical" of a political process controlled almost entirely by the state. The New York-based Soufan Center said before the vote that the amendments helped "solidify Sisi's grip" on Egyptian politics. The absence of public opposition to the constitutional changes was "likely a result of the oppressive nature of the Egyptian government", it said in a report published last week. Bucking the trend As army chief of staff at the time, Sisi led the military's overthrow of elected president Morsi in 2013 following mass protests against the Islamist leader's rule. Sisi won his first term as president in 2014, three years after the uprising that toppled Mubarak, and was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote, after standing virtually unopposed. His government has been widely criticised by human rights groups for the repression of political opponents, thousands of whom have been jailed. Sisi's security services rely on a policy of silencing dissidents on social networks, which played a key role in the overthrow of Mubarak. Reporters Without Borders says there are 33 journalists in Egyptian jail -- accusations authorities deny, saying they have no political prisoners. Egypt's referendum and its outcome have bucked the trend in neighbouring countries like Sudan, where protesters succeeded earlier this month in ousting Omar al-Bashir after 30 years of iron-fisted rule. Now Sudanese protesters are demanding the military, which took power after helping to topple the veteran leader, hand over the reins to a civilian administration. That came little more than a week after an uprising in Algeria forced long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. Protesters there have since kept up their rallies, calling for a complete overhaul of the country's political system.

Egypt referendum firms up Sisi rule as regional unrest flares 

Egyptians voted on Saturday in a three-day referendum on constitutional changes that could allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-opposition-urges-people-to-reject-sisi-amendment-211713">President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi</a> to stay in office until 2030 and boost the role of the powerful military.

Sisi's supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. Critics say they concentrate more power in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model.

While the changes are expected to pass, observers say the turnout will be a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. He was re-elected last year with 97 per cent of the votes, on 41 per cent turnout.

Polls closed at 1900 GMT and at the time, the national election commission had not yet given official figures for the turnout on the first day.

The country's small but vocal opposition called on supporters to vote against the changes instead of boycotting the polls like they did in the presidential election.

Former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabahy and Khaled Ali both posted photos of themselves with ballot papers marked No.

People carrying flags and wearing T-shirts saying "do the right thing" - the slogan plastered on thousands of posters across the capital ahead of the referendum - meanwhile campaigned for a Yes vote.

A double-decker bus blasting patriotic music circled around polling stations close to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the 2011 uprising that ended former President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

"I believe that everything the president has done was for the good of the country, and I believe that we want the march to continue," Mona Quarashi, head of a local development NGO, said before she voted in downtown Cairo.

But a hairdresser in a Cairo suburb said he did not vote.

"I cannot participate in a farce like this," said Zaki Mohamed, 45. "Does it makes sense to have a referendum on articles in the constitution without studying these articles and for whose interest? We have gone many years back, back to the authority of the individual."

If approved, the amendments would extend Sisi's current term to six years from four and allow him to run again for a third six-year term in 2024.

They would also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates. They would task the military with protecting "the constitution and democracy and the fundamental makeup of the country and its civil nature".

"POWER GRAB"

Opponents say the changes are being rushed through without proper public scrutiny. Officials say Egyptians from all walks of life were given a chance to debate the amendments, and that all views were factored into the final proposals.

"This is the final deathblow after all the ambitions we had after the 2011 revolution," said Khaled Dawoud, a member of the opposition Civil Democratic Movement.

Sisi came to power after spearheading, as defence minister, the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi as president in 2013. He was elected as president a year later and won the second four-year term last year.

Under Sisi, Egypt has witnessed a crackdown on dissent that rights groups say is unprecedented in its recent history. Media and social media are tightly controlled.

Lina Khatib, head of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme, said the amendments "pave the way for a power grab" by Sisi.

"This has grave implications for prospects of democracy in Egypt in the medium term and makes it difficult for alternative political voices to contest power in the long term," she said.

Egypt's 596-member parliament, dominated by Sisi's supporters, approved the amendments on Tuesday, voting by 531 to 22 in favour.

Some 61 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to vote. Polls open at 0700 GMT on Sunday for the second say of voting. The result is expected within five days of the final day of voting.

Egyptians voted on Saturday in a three-day referendum on constitutional changes that could allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to stay in office until 2030 and boost the role of the powerful military.

Egyptians voted on Saturday in a three-day referendum on constitutional changes that could allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to stay in office until 2030 and boost the role of the powerful military. Sisi's supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. Critics say they concentrate more power in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model. While the changes are expected to pass, observers say the turnout will be a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. He was re-elected last year with 97 per cent of the votes, on 41 per cent turnout. Polls closed at 1900 GMT and at the time, the national election commission had not yet given official figures for the turnout on the first day. The country's small but vocal opposition called on supporters to vote against the changes instead of boycotting the polls like they did in the presidential election. Former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabahy and Khaled Ali both posted photos of themselves with ballot papers marked No. People carrying flags and wearing T-shirts saying "do the right thing" - the slogan plastered on thousands of posters across the capital ahead of the referendum - meanwhile campaigned for a Yes vote. A double-decker bus blasting patriotic music circled around polling stations close to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the 2011 uprising that ended former President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. "I believe that everything the president has done was for the good of the country, and I believe that we want the march to continue," Mona Quarashi, head of a local development NGO, said before she voted in downtown Cairo. But a hairdresser in a Cairo suburb said he did not vote. "I cannot participate in a farce like this," said Zaki Mohamed, 45. "Does it makes sense to have a referendum on articles in the constitution without studying these articles and for whose interest? We have gone many years back, back to the authority of the individual." If approved, the amendments would extend Sisi's current term to six years from four and allow him to run again for a third six-year term in 2024. They would also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates. They would task the military with protecting "the constitution and democracy and the fundamental makeup of the country and its civil nature". "POWER GRAB" Opponents say the changes are being rushed through without proper public scrutiny. Officials say Egyptians from all walks of life were given a chance to debate the amendments, and that all views were factored into the final proposals. "This is the final deathblow after all the ambitions we had after the 2011 revolution," said Khaled Dawoud, a member of the opposition Civil Democratic Movement. Sisi came to power after spearheading, as defence minister, the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi as president in 2013. He was elected as president a year later and won the second four-year term last year. Under Sisi, Egypt has witnessed a crackdown on dissent that rights groups say is unprecedented in its recent history. Media and social media are tightly controlled. Lina Khatib, head of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme, said the amendments "pave the way for a power grab" by Sisi. "This has grave implications for prospects of democracy in Egypt in the medium term and makes it difficult for alternative political voices to contest power in the long term," she said. Egypt's 596-member parliament, dominated by Sisi's supporters, approved the amendments on Tuesday, voting by 531 to 22 in favour. Some 61 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to vote. Polls open at 0700 GMT on Sunday for the second say of voting. The result is expected within five days of the final day of voting.

Egypt votes in referendum that could keep Sisi in power until 2030

Egyptians start voting Saturday in a referendum that aims to cement the rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former coup leader presenting himself as a rock of stability in a turbulent region.

Despite protests from rights groups, the three-day plebiscite is expected to approve <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-opposition-urges-people-to-reject-sisi-amendment-211713">sweeping constitutional changes</a> that will extend Sisi's term until at least 2024 in the Arab world's largest state.

Beyond that, the amendments would allow Sisi, 64, to run for another six-year term while boosting his control over the judiciary and giving the military even greater influence in political life.

The referendum bucks the trend of the region's mini-Arab Spring, in which mass pro-democracy protests this month swept away veteran presidents in Algeria and Sudan.

Sisi made his grab for power in the turbulent years after the original Arab Spring protests of 2011 toppled long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, who was followed in office by Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Sisi overthrew Morsi in 2013 and the following year won his first term as president. He was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote after standing virtually unopposed.

International observers slammed both elections while Sisi's government has been widely criticised for sweeping repression of its opponents -- both Islamists and secular groups.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch charged the constitutional amendments aim to strengthen Sisi's "authoritarian rule", while Amnesty said that parliament, having already backed the changes, had shown a "complete disregard for human rights".

Grip on regime&nbsp;

For the past few weeks, Egypt's streets have been awash in banners and billboards urging citizens to "do the right thing" and vote "Yes", while popular folk singers have also exhorted voters to go to the ballot box.

A muted "No" campaign mounted from the diaspora and online has been thoroughly muzzled as authorities have blocked over 30,000 internet domains.

Despite the deep concerns of rights groups, Sisi has earned the support of many Egyptians and some Western powers by presenting himself as a bulwark against Islamist militancy and turmoil at a time when fighting again rages in neighbouring Libya.

Many voters, such as retired banker Ramez Raouf, view Sisi as a champion of stability.

"Look, I am against a few of the changes such as extending the president's terms ... but I am still going to vote 'yes' anyway," Raouf, 63, told.

When asked why, he said, "because the military will protect the civilian nature of the state, and that's important to me".

Parliament has already voted overwhelmingly this week to approve the changes, including extending presidential terms from four to six years.&nbsp;

The referendum also proposes other changes to the five-year-old constitution, among them the creation of a second parliamentary chamber and a quota ensuring at least 25 per cent of MPs are women.

Think-tank the Soufan Center said the main effect of the referendum would be to "solidify Sisi's grip on the Egyptian political regime" in a country that "has become even more autocratic than it was under Mubarak".

Egyptians start voting Saturday in a referendum that aims to cement the rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former coup leader presenting himself as a rock of stability in a turbulent region.

Egyptians start voting Saturday in a referendum that aims to cement the rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former coup leader presenting himself as a rock of stability in a turbulent region. Despite protests from rights groups, the three-day plebiscite is expected to approve sweeping constitutional changes that will extend Sisi's term until at least 2024 in the Arab world's largest state. Beyond that, the amendments would allow Sisi, 64, to run for another six-year term while boosting his control over the judiciary and giving the military even greater influence in political life. The referendum bucks the trend of the region's mini-Arab Spring, in which mass pro-democracy protests this month swept away veteran presidents in Algeria and Sudan. Sisi made his grab for power in the turbulent years after the original Arab Spring protests of 2011 toppled long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, who was followed in office by Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Sisi overthrew Morsi in 2013 and the following year won his first term as president. He was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote after standing virtually unopposed. International observers slammed both elections while Sisi's government has been widely criticised for sweeping repression of its opponents -- both Islamists and secular groups. Human Rights Watch charged the constitutional amendments aim to strengthen Sisi's "authoritarian rule", while Amnesty said that parliament, having already backed the changes, had shown a "complete disregard for human rights". Grip on regime For the past few weeks, Egypt's streets have been awash in banners and billboards urging citizens to "do the right thing" and vote "Yes", while popular folk singers have also exhorted voters to go to the ballot box. A muted "No" campaign mounted from the diaspora and online has been thoroughly muzzled as authorities have blocked over 30,000 internet domains. Despite the deep concerns of rights groups, Sisi has earned the support of many Egyptians and some Western powers by presenting himself as a bulwark against Islamist militancy and turmoil at a time when fighting again rages in neighbouring Libya. Many voters, such as retired banker Ramez Raouf, view Sisi as a champion of stability. "Look, I am against a few of the changes such as extending the president's terms ... but I am still going to vote 'yes' anyway," Raouf, 63, told. When asked why, he said, "because the military will protect the civilian nature of the state, and that's important to me". Parliament has already voted overwhelmingly this week to approve the changes, including extending presidential terms from four to six years. The referendum also proposes other changes to the five-year-old constitution, among them the creation of a second parliamentary chamber and a quota ensuring at least 25 per cent of MPs are women. Think-tank the Soufan Center said the main effect of the referendum would be to "solidify Sisi's grip on the Egyptian political regime" in a country that "has become even more autocratic than it was under Mubarak".

Egyptians vote in referendum to extend President Sisi's rule 