Referendum Will Divide, Not Unite, Egyptians
The referendum that begins Saturday on the Egyptian constitution will likely further divide Egyptians no matter the outcome, writes Maggie Fick from Cairo.
![An Egyptian woman shows her vote on the new Egyptian constitution at the Egyptian consulate in Dubai An Egyptian woman shows her vote on the new Egyptian constitution at the Egyptian consulate in Dubai, December 12, 2012. Egyptians abroad went to embassies on Wednesday to vote in a referendum on the new constitution that President Mohamed Mursi fast-tracked through an Islamist-led drafting assembly, drawing the ire of the opposition. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: POLITICS)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2012/q4/RTR3BHDR.jpg/RTR3BHDR.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=HrUdqNUM)
CAIRO — Egyptians begin voting on Saturday in a referendum on a controversial constitution draft, which is meant to be a step forward in Egypt's post-revolution transition.
But the "yes" and "no" votes to be cast have taken on a significance that extends far beyond the act of approving or rejecting the constitution.