Egypt Constitution Passes

The new Egyptian constitution officially passed Tuesday, the head of the country’s election commission declared. Reportedly, 63.8 percent voted “yes” to approve it in a referendum, which 32.9 percent of voters are said to have participated in. It is the first constitution for the country since an uprising forced Hosni Mubarak from his position, though its approval is fraught. The opposition campaigned against its approval over fears that the Islamist-drafted charter would usher in Islamic rule and restrict freedoms, and is vowing to challenge the results. The Egyptian economy showed signs of distress as the country waited for official results, with fears that the Egyptian pound will quickly devalue if political instability continues.