Egyptians to vote on constitution January 14-15 - state news agency

Reuters
Egyptian security forces and army vehicles hold their positions outside Cairo university during clashes between riot policemen and Cairo University students, who are supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, in Cairo December 11, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptians will vote on a new constitution on January 14 and 15, state news agency MENA said on Saturday, a treaty designed to replace one passed by ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. The new constitution will be the first step in the army's political transition plan that should conclude with parliamentary and presidential elections next year. It would strengthen the army's independence and put more restrictions on the formation of religious political parties. About 50 million Egyptians of the population of 85 million have the right to vote in the constitutional referendum. A 50-member assembly named by interim President Adly Mansour earlier this month finalised the draft of the new constitution. It would replace one passed in a vote last December by Mursi, ousted by the army in July following protests against his rule. The constituent committee was dominated by liberals and leftists and chaired by Amr Moussa, a former Arab League secretary general and candidate for the presidency. It included two Islamists, who had both backed the army's move against Mursi. Islamists won all elections that took place last year since the fall of autocratic President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 after mass protests against his rule.