Cairo (AsiaNews) - Urns open in Egypt for the referendum on amendments to the Constitution, the first popular vote since the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February last. From 8:00 (local time) this morning, long queues began forming at polling stations. Citizens are asked to vote to approve or reject a package of amendments. The main amendments relate to the figure of the Head of State: The term of office, the requirements of the President and the terms of application. In favor, the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Democratic Party, the party of former rais. But the other parties are against the proposed changes as they stand and are calling for the creation of a constitutional assembly to draft a new constitution before the next election.

Polling seems to be taking place in a general atmosphere of calm and transparency, despite some demonstrations in Tahrir Square against the referendum. A source tells AsiaNews: "When I went to vote this morning, I found some representatives of the Ministry of Interior. Clashes had been forecast, but everything went well. The ballot paper is written clearly, the space for the 'yes' and the 'no' are quite distinct”.

It is still early to make predictions. "From what I could see - says the source - I think there are people in favour of the 'yes' and the 'no'. Leading up to the poll, many Muslims distributed leaflets and hung posters encouraging people to adopt these new amendments. "

However, other parties and the protagonists of the uprising are hoping for a complete overhaul of the Constitution. "We all know - says the source – that we can not make a new Egypt out of an old constitution. To do this, first of all it takes time. Second, if the 'yes' were to prevail the only ones ready to face these new elections are the Muslim Brotherhood. All other parties that emerged from the revolution are not yet organized. So it is better to say no to these partial modifications, and demand a complete change in the Constitution”.

It is a “delicate" matter .However, the source expresses a preference for a constitutional assembly that will create a new charter before the next election. "We should not be in a rush to say yes, because then nothing will in reality change. We must act sensibly, even if it means taking more time. " The future presidential elections should take place within the next six months.