Egyptian Constitutional Development and Major Referendums (1956–2019)
Egypt held a two-question plebiscite approving both a new constitution and Gamal Abdel Nasser’s candidacy for president, anchoring the post-1952 revolutionary regime in a new constitutional framework.
A public referendum approved the Constitution of 1971 under Anwar Sadat, establishing Egypt’s primary constitutional order for the next four decades (later amended multiple times).
A referendum approved amendments that created the Shura Council (upper house) and updated the 1971 constitutional structure, reflecting a major institutional change to Egypt’s legislature.
Voters were asked to approve amending Article 76 to introduce direct presidential elections, replacing the earlier system where a single candidate was nominated by parliament and confirmed by plebiscite.
A referendum approved 34 constitutional amendments associated with electoral and political rules; critics argued the package expanded executive power and constrained political competition.
Following Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, Egyptians approved a package of amendments by referendum, shaping the transitional roadmap and election rules ahead of drafting a new constitution.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces issued a Constitutional Declaration to serve as Egypt’s provisional constitutional order pending a permanent constitution, incorporating the March 2011 approved amendments.
Egypt held a two-round constitutional referendum on a draft produced by the Constituent Assembly; the constitution was approved amid deep political polarization during Mohamed Morsi’s presidency.
The second round of voting concluded the 2012 constitutional referendum process, finalizing approval for the new charter under the prevailing two-round polling plan.
After Mohamed Morsi’s removal, interim president Adly Mansour issued a Constitutional Declaration to define the transitional legal framework and outline a new constitutional process.
Egyptians voted on a new constitution drafted after the 2013 political transition; the referendum approved replacing the 2012 constitution and became a cornerstone of the post-2013 roadmap.
A three-day referendum approved amendments to the 2014 constitution, including extending presidential terms and revising institutional arrangements, marking the major post-2014 constitutional change.
