The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement (EACPE)1 sent observers to the 28 Egyptian governorates to observe the constitutional referendum, which took place on the 14th and 15th of January 2014. This is a preliminary report based on their findings, classified into the following axes: .....

The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement observers have witnessed an increase in voter turnout up till 9:00 PM in Alexandria, Gharbeyya, Menoufeya, Assiut, Beni Suef, North and South Sinai, Aswan and some polling centers located in Cairo, whilst on the other hand, lower voter turnouts were witnessed in Al-Fayoum, Port Said and Damietta governorates. It was noted that the polling centers closed in a timely manner at 9:00 PM sharp in the 28 governorates, whilst in some governorates, some polling centers in Cairo and Gharbeya required extending hours beyond 9:00 PM. Below are the most important notes from our observers:

The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement has noted until 8:00 PM that two marches for the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) have been initiated in Alexandria where they opposed the constitution, where six of the marchers got arrested. Furthermore, in Sohag governorate, some members of the Freedom and Justice party gave up their membership in objection to the violent events that took place yesterday. The head of polling station 54 in Al-Ibrahemeya located in Sharkeya has voted for an elderly illiterate with 'No', whereas she wanted to vote 'Yes'. Furthermore, the voter turnout rates have increased in both South Sinai and Aswan governorates. Amid the events, three ladies, including a lady wearing the Burk'a, were arrested for voting twice in Al-Islah Al-Zer'ai polling center located in Nag'a Hammaddi, Qena. Below are the most important highlights that EACPE have observed: 

There was a march in Sidi Bishr initiated by the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), 7 of which got arrested. Whereas, Mostakbal Wattan initiative was also found campaigning for 'Yes' in North Sinai. Al-Noor party was campaigning as well for a 'Yes' in Luxor, Sohag and Suez. Voter turnout has increased in Upper Egypt governorates since the morning, while there still seems to be low turnouts in polling centers located in Giza. In addition to the prior, Al-Nagah School for girls located in Bandar Al-Desouq in Kafr Al-Shaykh, has closed its gates at 3:00 PM due to all potential candidates showing up, where they have shown to have 100% participation in their polling center. Currently, it is closed and waiting to screen their votes. Below are the most important highlights EACPE observers have noted:....

Some supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) were trying to direct the voters and get them to vote 'No', while gesturing with 'Raba'a' sign in polling station in Al-Sadat Preparatory School located in Suez. Ex-members of the dissolved National Democratic Party were also campaigning for a 'yes' vote. In Al-Haram and Damietta, the MB have formed human chains to incite people to vote 'No'. Supporters of the MB have created a sit-in in Helwan's metro to prevent its passage. Bribery has also been given out from some MB supporters in Berket Al-Saba' in East of Al-Khamees Souq. Below are the most important notes the EACPE observers have witnessed until 1.30 PM:...

The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement observers highlighted the most important events in the second day of the referendum where it was observed that  polling stations in the 28 governorates – opened their doors punctually at 9 AM. While there was a variety in voters’ turnout rates but observers noted that there was low turnout rates in Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, Giza, and the governorates of Upper Egypt, with the exception of Qena Governorate. Turnout rates increased in some polling centers in Cairo. In general turnout rates have shown to increase in all governorates. Below are the most important notes that EACPE observers highlighted:....