"The Constitutional amendments are proposed for the sake of a free and strong Egypt," Secretary General of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Sawfat Sherif said on Monday26/3/2007in statements after casting his vote in a referendum on the amendments. Sherif said the Egyptian people at this moment are deciding on their present and future.

Through this referendum, President Hosni Mubarak is trying to deliver on what he promised during his election programme and so every Egyptian should vote in this referendum, he said.

About those taking a passive stance towards the referendum, Sherif said to be positive is to give your opinion and contribute to democracy, while walking out of the political scene is being weak.

"We should not allow anyone to dictate us or mislead us," he said.

These are the widest amendments ever witnessed in Egypt since 1980, he said, adding that Egypt is taking big steps towards a constitution that guarantees participation and citizenship and gives more powers to the people.

Sherif said these amendments are for the future of Egypt so that it will live in freedom away from any political outbiddings and attempts to mix religion with politics.