Egyptians head on Saturday to cast their votes in the final round of a referendum on the contentious draft constitution that had plunged the country into crisis.

Egyptians head on Saturday to cast their votes in the final round of a referendum on the contentious draft constitution that had plunged the country into crisis, a day after street battles over the national charter between rival political camps in Alexandria left dozens injured.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 am local time (0600 GMT) in the remaining 17 provinces that did not vote in last Saturday’s first round of the referendum, with about 25.5 million voters – out of a total 51.3 million - are expected to head to the polls.

Some 250,000 police and soldiers will be deployed on Saturday to provide security at polling stations.

Preliminary results compiled from returning officers are expected by early on Sunday.
The constitution, which is likely to be approved, is at the heart of the power struggle between the Islamist president, Mohammad Mursi, and his secular-leaning opposition.

The Constituent Assembly, tasked with writing the constitution, held dialogue discussions about the draft charter Friday, in a bid to come to an agreement on some of the more contentious articles.

However the opposition forces boycotted the meeting saying it did not matter as the referendum was already underway.

If the constitution, which rights groups say limits religious freedoms and women’s rights, is passed, Mursi will grant an Islamist-dominated senate the full legislative powers until a new parliament is elected to replace the one annulled by Mursi’s foes in a top court.

With neither side backing down, there are few signs that Egypt’s deepening political crisis will be resolved.