CAIRO: The head of Egypt's election commission says the new constitution has passed with a 63.8 per cent ''yes'' vote in a referendum.  

According to official results announced Tuesday, 32.9 per cent of voters participated.

The announcement turns the Islamic parties-drafted charter into the country's first constitution after the uprising that forced Hosni Mubarak out of office after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule.

The opposition had campaigned against the constitution, charging that it will usher in Islamic rule in Egypt and restrict freedoms.

It has vowed to challenge the results. Judge Samir Abou el-Maati, the head of the electoral commission, denied allegations that judicial supervision was lacking in the vote.

The official results closely mirror unofficial results announced by the Muslim Brotherhood, the main group that backed the charter.