National Legitimacy Alliance to boycott constitution referendum

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy in Egypt has decided to boycott the referendum on the proposed constitution. The referendum is scheduled to take place on the 14th and 15th of January.

Spokesman for the alliance Hamza al-Farawi said that its members reject any ballot conducted under military rule. “You cannot come with a constitution on an army tank and call for a vote,” he insisted.

Relations have been tense between Islamists in Egypt and the coup-led government ever since the massacre of pro-democracy protesters by the security forces on August 14. Thousands were killed in Cairo and other cities, while Islamists have been blamed by the government for the death of more than 100 soldiers and other security personnel.