CAIRO - Egyptians started voting on Saturday morning to decide on constitutional amendments aimed at ensuring free and fair parliamentary and presidential polls later this year.  

Egyptian men display their ink stained fingertips after casting their votes for a referendum on constitutional amendments at a polling station in Cairo March 19, 2011. Egyptians began voting on Saturday in a referendum on constitutional amendments which the military rulers hope will open the door to elections within six months.  [Photo/Agencies]

Crowds of people entered some 54,000 polling stations across Egypt as they opened at 8 am (0600 GMT). The voting will end at 7 pm (1700 GMT) Saturday.

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Voters put their finger in an ink bottle which can't be erased easily after writing yes or no to a package of nine changes to the constitution, which was suspended by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) on Feb. 13, so that the same person can't vote twice.

The train of democracy moved in the first real democratic experience where some 45 million eligible voters, or about half of the country's population, are urged to participate in the voting with their national IDs, the first of its kind after the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11.

After decades of repression, the Islamic movements in Egypt are enjoying the right to express their opinions in unprecedented openness. Muslim Brotherhood, jihadists and salafists heavily endorsed the amendments by passing leaflets to encourage people to vote with yes after the Friday prayer.

"No" advocates believed that the voice of the revolution will not be fully represented in the new parliament and that the former National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood members will be the only organized forces on ground.

Copts fearing ruling of an Islamic state will vote no to the constitutional amendments, as they thought the Islamic groups have became a force after being marginalized and the Christians have been passive in the country's political life.

Ussama Waguib, a Coptic Christian in his late thirties, expressed his fear of Islamic ruling, saying "the Islamic radical movements dream to rule the country and if we say yes it means that the Muslim Brotherhood will gain a majority of seats in the parliament and Christian will no longer have a place in Egypt."

The anti-government protests in January and February have formulated clear demands including the redrafting of a new constitution. They believed that the "amendments betray the spirit of the revolution and the martyrs."

Ahmad Abdelhakim, a 25-year-old physician, went with his family to say no, describing the voting sphere to be quiet and highly organized by the police and army security.

He said "we want new constitution for new era, this is the first time I feel that I live in a democratic country and that my family is voluble to determine the future of our country."

Some 17,000 judges and members of the judiciary are arranged to supervise the process, with 36,000 soldiers and officers deployed near the stations to ensure security with police forces.

There is a great coordination between the army and the police officers to finish this first democratic process in a civilized manner.

A high turnout is expected as the government has pledged to ensure transparency and fairness of the referendum with Egyptians who want to use their rights to change the country.

SCAF has issued an order Friday to the media to publish or broadcast any material that might urge citizen to say yes or no.

According to the amendments proposed by a committee appointed by the SCAF, the presidential term will be shortened to four years from six years, and there will be a two-term cap on the president who should appoint one or more vice presidents within 60 days of taking office.

The changes also eased the restrictions on the qualifications of presidential candidates and said elections should be carried out under judicial monitoring.