Cairo, Egypt (AHN), Mar.27.- Amid widespread discontent from opposition groups, Egypt held a referendum on Monday in what is seen as a rubber stamp for the government's policies. Government workers flocked to polling stations across the country to cast their votes in favor of the controversial amendments.

"Of course I will give my approval for our President's policies," Ahmed, a civil servant in his late thirties, told All Headline News.

Ahmed was not alone in his unyielding support for President Hosni Mubarak, as similar scenes unfolded across Cairo and throughout the Arab world's largest nation.

The Mubarak government has said that the changes to the constitution will increase democracy and security, but the opposition, observers and human rights groups across the globe are not convinced.

Amnesty International called the amendments "the most serious undermining of human rights safeguards in Egypt since the state of emergency was re-imposed in 1981."

The opposition took to the streets on Sunday in a pre-referendum rally against the changes. The activists called for a boycott of the vote, saying that the government is simply trying to force dissent out of Egyptian politics.

[ full text ]