CAIRO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- A national referendum on constitutional amendments in Egypt started Monday with polling stations here opening in early morning.

    The polling started at 8:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and will end at 7:00 p.m. (1700 GMT), with counting of the votes to start directly after the ballots are closed, according to Egyptian MENA news agency.

    There are a total of about 35.38 million eligible voters in the country for the voting to take place in 334 general commissions and 34,392 sub-commissions under judicial supervision by judges and the public prosecution, the report added.

    Security forces are in guard in central Cairo against any potential troubles.

    Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and many officials of the government and the ruling National Democratic Party have highlighted the amendments as an unprecedented development in the very foundation of Egypt's constitution, calling for registered voters to participate in Monday's referendum.

    On March 19, Egypt's 454-seat parliament approved the amendments of 34 constitutional articles, with a vote of 315 in favor.

    The amendments, the first major change in the constitution since 1971, involves many political spheres, including the ban on formation of political parties based on religious denomination.