March 20 Egyptian voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum on constitutional changes that will usher in rapid elections, with the results underscoring the strength of established political organizations, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, and the weakness of emerging liberal groups. More than 14.1 million voters, or 77.2 percent, approved the constitutional amendments; 4 million, or 22.8 percent, voted against them. The turnout of 41 percent among the 45 million eligible voters broke all records for recent elections, according to the Egyptian government.
March 29 The military command announced that parliamentary elections would not be held until September 2011, meeting the demands of opposition leaders who wanted more time to organize political parties. The presidential election, scheduled for August, was also postponed. The command also revealed that the ousted president, Hosni Mubarak, has been prohibited from leaving the country, and that it would soon lift the detested emergency law, among a number of announcements intended to shore up diminishing support for the armed forces council ruling the nation.
March 31 Egypt's military rulers announced a new interim constitution replacing the one suspended when President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on Feb. 11, incorporating the amendments approved by voters in the March 19 referendum. In addition the 18-member ruling council said it would hand over legislative powers after the parliamentary election in September 2011, and that executive powers would be transferred after the presidential election, which will be held by November.
Commentary:
The anger fueling the street protests in Egpyt was not new. It had been seething beneath the surface for many years, exploding at times, but never before in such widespread, sustained fury.The grievances are economic, social, historic and deeply personal. Egyptians often speak of their dignity, which many said has been wounded by Mr. Mubarak’s monopoly on power, his iron-fisted approach to security and corruption that has been allowed to fester. Even government allies and insiders have been quick to acknowledge that the protesters have legitimate grievances that need to be addressed.
New political facts have emerged from this "revolution". The Egyptian people have demonstrated that they may be patient and peaceful to a fault, but they surely know how to make their voices heard at home and around the world. The way these spontaneous demonstrations took place and maintained a unity of demands, despite the blackout on mobile communication and stoppage of internet service, proves that a new collective conscience has been born in Egypt. In fact, Egypt itself has been reborn.
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