Egypt’s military-backed government announced that 444 Muslim Brotherhood members were arrested over the two-day constitutional polling that began Jan. 14.
According to various media reports, Egypt’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday that 444 members of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested and nine people were killed in confrontations among Brotherhood supporters, residents, and security forces across the country.
Egyptians approved the new constitution by a 98 percent margin, according to preliminary results.
The overwhelming support of the new constitution may pave the way for a presidential run by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt’s deputy prime minister and defense minister.
Islamist president and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi was ousted last July by the military-backed government. The new constitution is widely supported by Egyptians who support Morsi’s removal from power.
UPI contributed to this report.