Majority of Egyptians approved amendments to constitution in historic referendum paving way for early elections

For the first time in recent history, a referendum in Egypt ends with a winning 77 percent, not 99.99 percent.

Press reports said on Monday that a 77 percent majority of Egyptians approved the amendments to the constitution in the weekend referendum, opening the door to early elections.

Saturday's vote was the first in living memory whose outcome was not a foregone conclusion and 77 percent voted for the changes, many of them saying they hoped a 'yes' vote would help restore stability after weeks of upheaval.

"Egyptians came forward to have their say in the future of the country," said Mohammed Ahmed Attiyah, the head of the judicial oversight committee, announcing a 41 percent turnout.

Turnout was always very low for elections which were routinely rigged under Mubarak.

The amendments were drawn up by a judicial panel appointed by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. The military says it wants to relinquish authority to an elected government as quickly as possible.

One of the changes prevents a president serving more than eight years, making Egypt one of few Arab republics to set such a restriction. Mubarak, ousted by a popular uprising on February 11, had ruled for three decades.

The referendum divided Egyptians between those who said the reforms would suffice and others who said the constitution needed a complete rewrite, something that will happen after the legislative elections.