Egypt top judges override decision to boycott referendum

CAIRO - Agence France-Presse

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans as riot police form a line in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in Maadi, south of Cairo, on the outskirts of Cairo December 2, 2012. REUTERS photo

Egypt's Supreme Judicial Council said on Monday it would delegate judges to oversee a referendum on a controversial draft constitution, overriding calls for a boycott, the official MENA news agency reported.

The top judicial council said judges would monitor the December 15 vote across the country, in a blow to President Mohamed Morsi's opponents, including judges who had hoped to delegitimise the referendum.