WRAP-UP: Egyptian expatriates flock to polling stations to vote on constitution amendments

CAIRO – 19 April 2019: Egyptian expatriates on Friday started a three-day voting on the new constitutional amendments in 140 embassies and consulates of 124 countries all over the world.

The voting process of the first day of voting for expatriates will end in San Francisco which will end ballot casting by 9:00pm.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that 140 voting stations have been set up in 124 countries. Egyptian expatriates who hold valid passports have the right to vote in the referendum.

The first cities of which the public referendum has kicked off include; Wellington’s New Zealand, Canberra and Sydney in Australia, Seoul of South Korea, Tokyo of Japan and China’s Capital Beijing according to their local timing.

Egyptian embassies and consulates have witnessed a remarkable turnout by Egyptians who insisted on taking part in forming the history of their country and voting on the amendments.

Egyptian ambassador to Iraq Alaa Morsi casts his vote on the constitutional amendments- press photo

In Saudi Arabia, where hosts the largest Egyptian community in the Arab world, Egyptian expatriates cast their votes in Riyadh-based embassy amid high turnout.

Polls will be open Saturday through Monday with 55 million Egyptians eligible to vote on the new amendments, which would increase the presidential term from four to six years, allocate 25 percent of parliamentary seats to women, re-introduce the Shura Council and reinstate the vice president post.

An expatriate casts his vote on the new constitutional amendments at the Egyptian embassy in Beirut- press photo

An expat casts his vote on the constitutional amendments- press poto

Moreover, Egyptian expatriates in Iraq headed to vote on the amendments as well as in Muscat.

The high turnout witnessed by the polling stations is highly expected to keep on rising.

Egypt’s Ministry of Migration dedicated hotlines for Egyptian expatriates to receive any complaints or questions related to the three-day public referendum.

Egyptian expatriates could contact the Ministry of Migration on the following phone numbers: +201289850655/ +201017071810 / +201159476593.

They also can contact the ministry via mail: Info.elections@emigration.gov.eg , the minister said in a statement on Thursday.

Egyptian expats vote on the constitutional amendments in Asturias - press photo

The National Election Authority (NEA) announced that there will be a judge to supervise each of the ballot boxes, affirming that it is keen to ensure the transparency of the voting process.

The Foreign Ministry has published photos of voters queuing to cast their ballots and others waving national flags at missions in Milan, Dubai, Amman, Riyadh, New Delhi, Doha and Ottawa.