Egypt Election: Voting Begins In Constitutional Referendum

Egyptians Begin Voting In Constitutional Referendum
An Egyptian election worker displays a guide book for voting in the country's constitutional referendum, at the Giza courthouse, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. The January 14-15 vote on the draft constitution will be the first real test of the post-Morsi regime. A comfortable "yes" vote and a respectable turnout would be seen as bestowing legitimacy, while undermining the Islamists' argument that Morsi remains the nation's elected president. Arabic reads, "A guide for voting on the draft amendments of the constitution." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
An Egyptian election worker displays a guide book for voting in the country's constitutional referendum, at the Giza courthouse, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. The January 14-15 vote on the draft constitution will be the first real test of the post-Morsi regime. A comfortable "yes" vote and a respectable turnout would be seen as bestowing legitimacy, while undermining the Islamists' argument that Morsi remains the nation's elected president. Arabic reads, "A guide for voting on the draft amendments of the constitution." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

CAIRO, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Egyptians began voting on Tuesday in a constitutional referendum, the first ballot since the military ousted President Mohamed Mursi and a vote that will likely set the stage for a presidential bid by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Analysts expect a large turnout and many "yes" votes, which could encourage the popular Sisi to contest elections in the most populous Arab state.

Sisi deposed Mursi, Egypt's first freely elected head of state, on July 3 following mass protests against his rule. His Islamist opponents see him as the mastermind of a coup that set off the worst internal strife in Egypt's modern history. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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