Egyptians are voting in a referendum on constitutional changes

Egypt’s military-backed regime made determined efforts yesterday to boost turnout in a referendum designed to ensure that President Sisi can stay in office until 2030.

Voters were driven to polling stations and given food parcels and vouchers in working-class areas to counter the effects of disillusionment and election fatigue. The referendum is the third on constitutional changes since the uprising that toppled President Mubarak in 2011.

Although opposition was allowed, spearheaded by a small group of MPs, advertising and state media coverage of the referendum all backed a “yes” vote. Reports focused on Mr Sisi’s mega-projects, such as a new capital city outside Cairo, which he says will create jobs and economic growth.

“I’m for the amendments,” Nadi Gharib, 57, a civil servant, said after