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Egyptian expats vote in presidential race tomorrow

By Ragheb Shauqi

CAIRO, March 15 (KUNA) -- Egyptian expats are set to cast their ballots tomorrow (Friday) at a total 139 polling stations at Egyptian embassies and consulates in 124 countries.
The Egyptian government in general and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular have made proper preparations and arrangements for the vote of Egyptian expats, which runs between March 16 and 18.
But, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Somalia won't be the scene of presidential elections due to ongoing security circumstances.
The government urged citizens abroad to participate in the third presidential race since the January 25, 2011 Revolution, which forced ex-President Hosni Mubarak out of power.
Only two candidates, notably incumbent President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Al-Ghad Party leader Mousa Mustafa, are contesting the electoral process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a recent press statement its embassies and consulates were completely geared up for the presidential vote.
It urged all Egyptian expats to flow en masse to polling centers in order to choose whomever they see the right candidate.
It added that it has provided its embassies and consulates with all necessary equipment in order to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process in line with the relevant instructions of the National Election Authority (NEA).
Minister of State for Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs Nabila Makram said all state agencies and bodies, especially embassies, are keen on ensuring a smooth vote for Egyptian expats.
Makram, who has made tours of several countries including the State of Kuwait for the purpose, voiced confidence that Egyptian citizens would stand in long lines in front of electoral centers in order to cast their ballots.
On his part, NEA Chairman Justice Ibrahim Lashin called on all Egyptians abroad to vote in the presidential elections as a national duty.
"Egyptian expats are an integral part of the nation and one of its key pillars," he said, stressing that their participation in the vote would contribute to building their national future and establishing the democratic process in the country.
In this context, the NEA chief vowed that his committee would do its utmost to put all facilities at the disposal of Egyptian expats so that they could cast their ballots so smoothly and comfortably.
In 2017, the government estimated the number of Egyptians living abroad at a total 9.4 million. Sixty million eligible voters will cast their ballots in the election in Egypt on March 26-28, while expatriates will vote on March 16-18 at 139 polling stations abroad. The NEA announced on February 24 the final list for Egypt's upcoming presidential election, which consists of President Al-Sisi and Al-Ghad Party leader Mousa Moustafa.
On his official Twitter account, Al-Sisi called on the Egyptian people to participate intensively in the upcoming election and give their votes to whomever they see most eligible. (end) rg.mt