In Pic: Citizens walk across Cairo to urge for constitutional amendments

CAIRO – 19 April 2019: Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took to streets Cairo's Abdeen square to urge other citizens to cast their ballot in a three-day public referendum due to start on Saturday.

The rally participants were putting on white tops, with words encouraging other citizens to cast their ballot printed on them, including "participate," and "Long Live Egypt," which the incumbent president always says in his speeches.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


On Saturday, the registered voters inside Egypt will be able cast their ballot over three consecutive days, in a referendum on a set of constitutional amendments, including granting the president some unprecedented rights.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


The rally is organized by the Cairo Governorate authority, in cooperation with the Sport and Youth Directorate, and under the auspices of Cairo governor Khaled Abdel Aal, who is set to personally take part in the rally, along with a number of public figures.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


The participators are set to walk across the governorate, and will be present in some places including al-Tahrir Square, which witnessed the January 25 revolution in 2011, ousting former President Hosni Mubarak, and June 30 revolution in 2013, which ousted former President Mohamed Morsi.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


The security forces always station in Al-Tahrir square to prevent further unlicensed protests and illegal gathering.

A Tanoura show was seen during the rally, while participators have raised Egyptian flags and released many balloons.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


The approved amendments expand each of the two presidential terms allowed for any president to six years instead of four, while a separate transitional article gives an exceptional right to incumbent President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who was re-elected in 2018, to run for a third 6-year term after he finishes his second term in 2024 instead of 2022.


Hundreds of Egyptian citizens took part in an election rally in Cairo's Abdeen square – Egypt Today/Hossam Atef


The amendments also give the president the right to choose heads of courts, judicial bodies, the Supreme Constitutional Court, and the Attorney General, Egypt's top prosecutor from some nominees. He would also appoint one third of the members of the Shura Council, which was revived, this time under the name "The Senate."