Referendum results disputed

Egypt’s government said referendum voters overwhelmingly endorsed constitutional amendments, but a state-appointed human rights panel alleged that public-sector workers were forced to cast ballots.

Justice Minister Mamdouh Marei said that the yes vote in Monday’s referendum on 34 constitutional amendments was 76%. Officials said 27% of the 36 million voters had cast ballots. Opposition groups had called for a boycott of the vote, arguing that the amendments were a setback to democracy.