Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi lauded Tuesday the high turnout in the constitutional referendum, saying it was a clear message to foreign criticism of the amendments.
The amendments would prolong Sisi's current term to 2024 from 2022 and allow him to then run for another six-year term.
Addressing a Labor Day celebration in Alexandria, Sisi thanked the citizens for participating in the vote.
Last week, the National Electoral Commission announced that the 88 percent of participants had voted in favor of the amendments. Some 23 million people out of an eligible 61 million took part in the referendum.
Sisi’s remarks Tuesday were his first since the vote was held.
Addressing the people, he declared: “Your participation in any election will achieve what you want and bring in whoever you want in my place.”
The people participated and expressed their views. No one can ever change that, he said of the debate about the referendum.
He credited the people for Egypt’s recent achievements, attributing them to their awareness and perseverance. Challenges remain, he continued, and they require further diligence.
Sisi underlined the need for hard work and construction and stopping acts of violence and destruction.
