Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy signed a decree putting into effect his country 's newly approved constitution , the state-run Egynews reported Wednesday . His signature came after Egyptian voters approved the Islamist-backed constitution by what an election official said Tuesday was a nearly 2 to 1 ratio . Read more : Egyptians approve new constitution , unofficial results show . During the two rounds of voting , more than 10 million , or 63.8 % , voted in favor , and more than 6 million , or 36.2 % , voted against , Judge Samr Abou El Maaty , head of the High Election Commission , told reporters . The referendum passed with 56.6 % of the vote in the first round on December 15 , when more liberal provinces voted . In the second round of voting , on December 22 , people cast ballots in 17 provinces largely loyal to Morsy and his ruling party -- which backed the constitution . There was a 32.9 % turnout , El Maaty said . Nearly 303,400 votes were excluded because of voting irregularities . Controversy among Egypt 's society and institutions had accompanied the draft constitution since its inception . Read more : Egypt 's VP resigns amid vote over draft constitution . Critics said it was passed too quickly . Liberals , Christians and other minority opposition groups said they felt excluded from the Constituent Assembly that drafted it and that the wording did not include their voices . They had sought a new assembly . Opposition members said the charter uses vague language and will not protect the rights Egyptians fought for in last year 's revolution , which ousted former President Hosni Mubarak . Supporters of the constitution herald what they say is its protection of personal rights , especially its provisions on the handling of detainees in the judicial system , which made capricious use of its powers under the former government . The international rights group Human Rights Watch said the constitution `` protects some rights but undermines others . '' It `` fails to end military trials of civilians or to protect freedom of expression and religion . '' Read more : Protests turn violent in Egypt ahead of vote on constitution . The rocky road to the referendum began when judges threatened to shut the assembly tasked with drafting the constitution . Morsy issued an edict in late November declaring his decisions immune from judicial review until the holding of the constitutional referendum . He also sacked the head of the judiciary , many of whose members had remained loyal to Mubarak . The Islamist president 's opposition saw the moves as a grab for dictatorial powers and poured into the streets , converting Tahrir Square in central Cairo back into the center of public discontent it had been during the uprising that brought down Mubarak . In response , Morsy dropped his decree , but the situation remained tense . Violence raged , producing incidents that have raised the ire of international human rights groups , though these were not systematic , as was the case under the former government . Read more : Morsy supporters accused of beating , detaining opponents . The outcome of the election is important to the stability of volatile North Africa and the Middle East -- where Egypt is a key player . The U.S. State Department acknowledged divisions within Egypt and said there was a need for a broader consensus behind its new democratic rules . `` Many Egyptians have voiced deep concerns about the substance of the constitution and the constitutional process , '' Patrick Ventrell , acting deputy spokesman , said Tuesday in a statement . `` President Morsy , as the democratically elected leader of Egypt , has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions , build trust and broaden support for the political process . '' Egypt needs a strong , inclusive government to meet its many challenges , Ventrell added . Read more : Top Morsy aide : Small , powerful minority behind Egypt 's political upheaval .
Morsy signs decree . More liberal provinces voted in the first round ; 56.6 % favor the new constitution . Critics say it is passed too quickly ; minority groups say they were excluded . Comment: The president has to sign a law, and then he can either veto or approve it