Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has congratulated Egyptians for their mass participation in a referendum on the country’s newly-proposed draft constitution.

On Sunday, Mehmanparast hailed the two-stage referendum as a strong step toward establishing democracy and rule of law in Egypt.

“The high [voter] turnout will empower the Egyptian government to take further steps towards the realization of the long-term, progressive, Islamic and revolutionary goals of the people,” the spokesman added.

On Saturday, over eight million of the 25 million eligible voters in 17 provinces of Egypt cast their ballots in the second round of the referendum on the new constitution, which states that the nation must be governed by the principles of Islamic law.

Official results are expected to be announced on Monday or Tuesday.

In the first round, which was held on December 15 in 10 provinces, 57 percent voted in favor of the draft constitution.

Massive protests erupted in Egypt over President Mohamed Morsi’s speedy adoption of Egypt’s new constitution and the constitutional decree that he issued on November 22, granting him expanded powers and placing him beyond judicial review.

The president later rescinded the decree, but his hasty organization of the referendum sparked further demonstrations.

Morsi is now obliged to call elections for the lower house of the parliament within two months. /SR