Egypt’s Dar al-Iftaa released a fatwa on Thursday prohibiting buying votes in elections and referendums.

The prestigious Islamic institute said on Thursday, “buying votes in referendums and elections is forbidden and those involved in the act are sinners - as it falls under bribery which is forbidden."

Dar al-Iftaa added that those who distribute the bribes are sinners for their complicity in the manipulation, especially when Islam orders honesty, free will and prohibits corruption, deception, bribery and unethical practices.

A referendum on a draft constitution written by an Islamist-dominated assembly will take place on Saturday, December 15.