ElBaradei: Constution vote irresponsible

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CAIRO, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Having a national vote on a constitution for a clearly divided Egypt does little to secure post-revolutionary gains, an Egyptian opposition leader said.

Egyptian expatriates began voting Wednesday on a referendum regarding a draft constitution. U.N. human rights leaders were critical of some articles in the document as frustration with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood affiliates grows.

The National Salvation Front, an umbrella opposition movement that includes former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei, this week called for a "no" vote in the national constitutional vote.

ElBaradei was quoted by Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram as saying having a vote amid rising national frustration was irresponsible.

"To insist on holding a referendum while the nation is clearly divided, where public dissent is boiling, where there is a lack of judicial and security backing, shows a lack of responsibility towards the national interest," he said.

ElBaradei's opposition Constitution Party is expected to issue a constitutional alternative this week.

Morsi in June became the first Egyptian president elected in a democratic vote.