Bishop Kyrillos, bishop for the city of Naj‘ Hammādī, Qena governorate, said Copts were prevented from voting at some polling stations during the public referendum on proposed constitutional amendments on Saturday.

Bishop Kyrillos said that when the officials supervising the polling stations found a high Coptic turnout at eight o'clock in the morning, they closed the stations and left, he claimed.

Coptic voters were unable to file a complaint with the armed forces. He added that at some polling stations voting cards did not carry the necessary stamps and were therefore void. Furthermore, at some polling stations Muslims were given more than one voting card.