First round of the Constitutional referendum in Egypt is about to kick off.

In the first phase, the voting will be conducted in capital city Cairo, Alexandria, and in eight other provinces. Residents of the country’s other regions will cast their ballots next week.

To note, the referendum is being held in two rounds due to the limited number of judges, most of whom have boycotted this plebiscite. 

More than 120,000 soldiers are monitoring the election precincts, BBC Russian Service informs. The Egyptian authorities have stated that participation in the referendum is mandatory and promised to fine those that do not vote, Exo Moskvy radio station reports.