The new charter aims to replace the constitution passed under Islamist President Mohammed Morsi months before he was ousted¹ by the army.

 

The military wants a strong "Yes" vote to endorse²（认可） Mr Morsi's removal.

 

His Muslim Brotherhood³, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting⁴ the vote and there are fears of violence.

 

Shortly before voting began, an explosion was heard near a court building in Cairo, although no casualties were reported.

 

A huge security operation is being mounted for the two days of voting. The interior ministry⁵ says 200,000 police officers, 150 central security units and 200 combat groups are being deployed⁶ around polling stations on both days.

 

The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says this has been a distorted campaign, with endorsements⁷ for the new constitution flooding state-run and private TV and radio.

 

However, spotting any posters from the "No" campaign is a lot harder and people have been arrested for putting them up, our correspondent says.

 

Democratic or not, she says, the referendum is seen by many as more than a ballot⁸ on a new constitution - it is widely viewed as a verdict on the removal of Mr Morsi.

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