14/01/2014 09:40
Egypt referendum: Vote to begin amid tight security
Egyptians are to vote in a referendum on a new constitution, which could pave the way for fresh elections, the BBC reported.
The new charter aims to replace the constitution passed under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi months before he was ousted by the army.
Correspondents say the military wants a strong "Yes" vote as a popular endorsement of Mr Morsi's removal.
Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which has since been designated a terrorist group, has called for a boycott.
A huge security operation is being mounted amid fears of violence.
The interior ministry says 200,000 police officers, 150 central security units and 200 combat groups are being deployed around polling stations on both days of voting.
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says there has been a distorted campaign, with endorsements for the new constitution flooding state-run and private TV and radio.
However, spotting any posters from the "No" campaign is a lot harder and people have been arrested for putting them up, he says.
On Monday, the Strong Egypt party, led by prominent Islamist Abdel-Moneim Abolfotoh, said it would boycott the vote after several of its members were arrested for campaigning against the charter.