Cabinet: Most voters plan to approve constitution

The majority of Egyptians are poised to vote “yes” in the upcoming constitutional referendum, according to a poll conducted by the interim Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center.

78.3 percent of those who said they would vote planned on approving the new constitution, the survey indicated.

The referendum is scheduled for January 14 and 15.

IDSC surveyed 1,316 people aged 18 and above during the period of December 21-23, according to the state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA).

Sherif Badr, head of the IDSC, said that the center has conducted three polls since November 28 to gauge participation levels in the referendum. Projected participation figures have inreased as the date for the referendum nears, he said.

According to the latest survey, 68 percent of respondents planned on participating in the referendum, a rise from previous numbers.

In mid-December, interim President Adly Mansour announced the dates of the national referendum after the committee of 50 tasked with amending the constitution had completed its task.

Mansour called on critics of the draft constitution to “have the courage to let go of their stubbornness and arrogance” and join what he called the “national procession” to protect the national interests of the country.

The Interior Ministry and the Armed Forces are prepared to secure the referendum, according to security officials.

Campaigning for a "yes" vote began before the draft constitution was even completed, with billboards and television ads as well as political parties and prominent figures voicing their support of the document.