Egyptian parties urge participation in referendum on constitution

Egypt's political parties participating in the expanded conference for national dialogue called on Thursday the Egyptian people to intensively take part at the referendum scheduled to be held next Wednesday to modify the constitution.

In a statement, the parties warned against provocation on not joining the referendum saying such move does not go with democracy rules and the right of expressing opinion which poses as a passivity that has no place in democratic practice. The parties underlined intention to exert all efforts as to guarantee the referendum's success.

Political parties in Egypt said the modification of the 76 article of the Egyptian constitution constitutes a "historical step." Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made a decision to modify the constitution and allow for multi-candidate presidential elections in September. Those who oppose the change, as inadequate, say the constitutional change has in effect been made useless because of the many conditions placed for allowing presidential candidates to be in the elections.