(AFP Photo)
Voting for presidential elections is scheduled to begin on Thursday for Egyptians abroad across 141 overseas embassies and diplomatic missions in 124 countries.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it had established an operating room during the days for voting, which will go from Thursday 15 May until Sunday 18 May. The ministry, in an official statement issued on Wednesday, said it would receive reports, complaints, and monitor logistical and security support for Egyptians casting their ballots overseas.
The Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC) during a Wednesday press conference said that its missions in Syria, Somalia, Libya, and the Central African Republic would not be open for voting due to security concerns in those countries.
Multiple polling stations were required in countries with more Egyptian citizens, including in Germany, China, Turkey, the United States, and Switzerland.
The foreign ministry added that any Egyptian with valid government identification would be able to vote at embassies, even those temporarily overseas for tourism or medical treatment.
These elections are the first time eased restrictions have been enacted for voters abroad. Then Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously said that voters would automatically be removed from the voters’ base to prevent duplication. The system resembles the one used inside the country for January’s constitutional referendum, when voters were permitted to vote outside of their home governorates.
Voters will have to choose between Nasserist politician Hamdeen Sabahy, represented by the eagle symbol on ballots, and former Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, represented by the star.
Polling stations inside Egypt are scheduled to be open on 26 and 27 May.
