As many as 94,000 people voted from 148 Egyptian communites to show what they thought about a proposed new constitution for Egypt. About 160,000 soldiers and 200,000 policemen were expected to guard the polling places across the country. There have been many posters, fliers, and the like telling people to vote 'yes' to the new constitution, but the posters urging people to vote 'no' have gotten people in trouble with the law, leading to arrests. People who advertise 'no' votes in businesses in Egypt have been threatened with legal proceedings. The new constitution will ban religion based political parties, protect the Christian minority, allows the military to choose its candidate for defense minister and bring Egyptians to military tribunals, and give women the rights that men have.
Some of the contents of this constitution sound like they could change Egypt for the better, but I find it funny that they're banning free speech in that they aren't allowing citizens to voice their political opinions. This constitution also sounds like it gives the Egyptian military more freedom. It seems, though, like the military has much freedom in that they are stationed all around Egypt to control voters. I don't think that things will get much better in Egypt if the constitution is passed (which, from the looks of it, it will).
Sources: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/13/egypt-votes-on-new-constitution-while-engulfed-in-climate-fear-and-patriotism/
http://allafrica.com/stories/201401130739.html
I agree - Egypt, and many other countries, can never move forward until they allow complete free speech. Though it may not be always popular or favourable, it is the only way to allow things to be completely fair. For example, in the US, many people exercise their right to speak freely every day, and though sometimes people make fools of themselves, they should still be allowed to speak openly about their opinions, because it takes many opinions together to criticize and help things improve. It sounds like Egypt is taking steps in the right direction, but another step they must make is dealing with criticism and letting go of power a little.
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