A first day of voting has been taking place in Egypt on a new constitution that could pave the way for fresh elections.

But clashes involving supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi left nine dead.

The new charter is to replace the constitution passed under Mr. Morsi before the army forced him out.

The military wants a strong Yes vote in the two-day referendum to endorse his removal.

Mr. Morsi\'s Muslim Brotherhood, now designated a terrorist group, is boycotting the vote.

His supporters clashed with security forces in several parts of Egypt and officials said nine people had died:

Four people were killed and more wounded in clashes in the Upper Egypt city of Sohag, though details of the incident are disputed. One person died in Nahia, in the Giza district of Cairo. Another was killed during an anti-referendum protest in Bani Suef, south of Cairo. Three people - Morsi supporters according to security sources - reported to have been shot dead in the Cairo suburb of Kerdasa.

Shortly before voting began, there was an explosion near a court building in Cairo\'s Imbaba district, although no casualties were reported.