CAIRO, May 12 (UPI) -- Two opposition groups Thursday urged a boycott of the national referendum to amend Egypt's constitution allowing several candidates to run for president.
The Wafd party charged the amendment ensured a presidential monopoly by the ruling National Democratic party.
"The Wafd Party will call on the Egyptian people to boycott the referendum and stay at home that day in protest," the party said in its Wadf newspaper.
The opposition party, Kifaya, which opposes President Hosni Mubarak's campaign for a fifth term, also called for a boycott.
The referendum was scheduled for May 25, even though the proposal was rejected by opposition groups over restrictions placed on presidential hopefuls, the daily al-Jumhuriyah reported.
No official announcement was made, however.
The amendment would change the law to require candidates have the approval of 250 elected officials, notably 140 members of municipal councils, 65 parliament members and 25 members of the Shura Council.
Opponents said the amendment would place "impossible restrictions" on opposition and independent candidates.
