Alexandria polls saw high turnout during the constitutional referendum Saturday, especially among Coptic Christians, a number of whom said they were voting against the amendments.
Voters and church sources alike on Saturday said many Copts would cast ballots against the amendments, instead seeking a new constitution. Copts and the pro-amendment Islamists including the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis seemed to be competing to gather supporters.
Saturday morning and afternoon was marked by high turnout since polls opened at 8 AM, and order seemed to prevail as police and military troops manned polling stations.
In Gherbal constituency, a large number of voters, most of whom were young people and Copts, lined up to cast their ballots amid the presence of armed forces.
The Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis gathered citizens and urged them to cast their vote, saying it is a religious duty.
In Mina al-Basal, which includes around 15 polling stations, saw some of the highest turnout in the region amid tightened security.
Vehicles were seen transferring Coptic and Salafi voters to the polling stations. Many groups affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and National Democratic Party were also seen urging voters to cast their ballots for the constitutional changes.
In Karmouz, Islamist followers called on voters to say "yes" to the proposed amendments. However, groups of Copts, who dominated some polling stations, rejected the amendments.
In al-Raml station, known to be a stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis, high turnout was witnessed since early morning. Preliminary indicators showed voters would support the amendments.
