Voting began in Egypt Saturday in a staggered referendum on a new constitution largely drafted by President Mohammad Mursi’s team.

Voting began in Egypt Saturday in a staggered referendum on a new constitution largely drafted by President Mohammad Mursi’s team.

Half of the country's 51 million voters are being called to decide the draft charter, with the other half to vote next Saturday.

The Egyptian opposition has strongly protested for weeks now against the proposed constitution, as clashes last week in Cairo left eight people dead and more than 600 injured.

Polls on Saturday are scheduled to close at 7:00 pm in Cairo, Alexandria and the eight other governorates voting.

Egypt's army has temporarily been given police powers to help ensure security until the final results of the referendum are known.