The Supreme Electoral Commission accepts resignation of the secretary-general for the committee overseeing the constitutional referendum, Zaghloul El-Balshi.

El-Balshi said he had tried to stay in his post until the poll ends on 22 December but had to undergo eye-surgery, according to a judicial source.

The first phase of Egypt's referendum took place on 15 December across 10 governorates. Unofficial final results of the first round show a 56.5 per cent approval for the draft charter, while 'No' votes reached 43.5 per cent.

The second phase of voting includes the remaining 17 governorates.