Egyptians will be voting on Saturday in a referendum regarding constitutional changes aimed at facilitating free and fair elections, however, these changes have caused division within the reform movement that ousted Hosni Mubarak. There is a split in opinion among Egyptians, with some arguing for more extensive constitutional amendments while others believe the current amendments are sufficient. A large voter turnout is expected for the referendum. The Muslim Brotherhood, an organized Islamist group, supports the amendments, putting them at odds with secular groups and prominent reformers such as Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa, both presidential candidates. The military council, which took power from Mubarak, hopes the amendments will be approved so that they can proceed with their plan for parliamentary and presidential elections, ultimately transferring power to an elected government. Ahmed Saleh, who is currently coordinating ElBaradei's presidential campaign, described the upcoming vote as a significant moment. He mentioned that there is a strong desire among the people to participate in the voting process and that a sense of change is evident. The military council, which took over power from Mubarak on Feb. 11, has emphasized the importance of a high voter turnout for the referendum. The main objective of the referendum is to create a favorable environment for future parliamentary and presidential elections. The council highlighted the importance of Egyptian citizens voicing their opinions and participating in the democratic process. To achieve this goal, the council has tasked a judicial committee with drafting amendments that include limiting the presidency to two terms, with a maximum of eight years in office, in order to prevent a leader from holding power for an extended period like Mubarak did for thirty years. The council will have to reconsider its strategy and extend a transitional period if the amendments are rejected, which they aim to keep as brief as possible. However, these reforms do not meet the expectations of reformists who are calling for a complete rewriting of the constitution. The amendments have been criticized by youth groups who led protests against Mubarak, who see them as an attempt to undermine the revolution. There are concerns about the tight timetable set by the military for elections, as it may not allow enough time for political parties to recover from years of repression, potentially giving an advantage to the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's regime. General Ismail Etman, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, stated that amending the constitution is the best, though not ideal, solution. In an interview with Al Gomhuria newspaper published on Thursday, he stated that if the amendments are approved, it would result in the creation of new laws that would allow for more political openness, including the removal of restrictions on forming political parties. There has been a lively discussion in newspapers, television stations, and social media on how to vote on the amendments. The "No" campaign continued to push its message on Friday with a full-page advertisement in Al Masry Al Youm, a popular Egyptian newspaper. One of the objections listed was, "How can I agree to a significant decision without enough time or information?" This was accompanied by images of actors, politicians, religious leaders, and businesspeople who are urging voters to reject the amendments. On the following page, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood presented a contrasting opinion: "Backing the constitutional changes is a step towards fulfilling the demands of the revolution ... those who oppose them have not put forth a clear alternative." Nearly half of Egypt's population of 80 million, totaling up to 45 million people, are eligible to participate in the voting process and a large voter turnout is anticipated from individuals who are familiar with past elections marked by violence and corruption during Mubarak's rule. "I will definitely cast my vote. I have never felt that my vote would have as much significance as it will this Saturday," expressed 35-year-old Ahmed Adel, who stated that he would support the amendments in order to help steer his country in the right direction. "We urgently need a parliament and president." Activist Ziad el-Elemi expressed a differing opinion, stating that they are conducting workshops nationwide to educate the public on the fact that constitutional amendments alone are insufficient.