Egypt Votes Freely for First Time in Half-Century

Egypt Votes Freely for First Time in Half-Century

Millions of Egyptians voted freely on Saturday for the first time in more than half a century, joyfully waiting for hours to cast their ballots on a package of constitutional changes eliminating much-hated restrictions on political rights and civil liberties. Preliminary results will be announced Sunday.

Young people traded mobile-phone pictures of ink-stained fingers that showed they voted.

Others called relatives to boast of casting the first vote of their lives. In the well-off Cairo neighborhood of Maadi, a man hoisted his elderly, infirm father on his shoulder and carried him to a polling station.

"My vote today will make a difference. It's as simple as that," said first-time voter Hossam Bishay, 48.