Egyptians Abroad Cast Their Votes
In a display of civic participation, Egyptians residing abroad engaged in the electoral process for the 2024 Egyptian presidential election on December 1, 2 and 3, 2023. The extensive reach of this democratic event spanned 137 embassies and consulates worldwide. One of the voters was Ahmed II, son of King Farouk who casts his vote in the presidential election at the Egyptian embassy in Switzerland.
For those residing in Australia the voting process concluded at Egypt’s embassy in Canberra and consulates in Melbourne and Sydney. Factoring in time zone differences between other nations and Egypt, New Zealand led first, followed by Australia and then Japan.
The scope of the electoral operation, overseen by Ahmed Bendari, executive director of Egypt’s National Election Authority (NEA), encompassed 103 polling stations across 121 countries. Operating from 9 am to 9 pm on December 1-3, these stations facilitated the voting process. An additional 33 polling stations accommodated the challenges posed by diverse time zones. The NEA efficiently managed both the voting and vote counting processes, officially concluding on December 4.
The array of candidates in the election included the incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi,
seeking a third term with a symbolic star. Farid Zahran, the leftist opposition candidate from the Social Democratic Party, presented a sun as his electoral symbol. Other notable contenders were Sanad Yamama, representing the Wafd Party with a palm tree symbol, and Hazem Omar, the candidate from the People’s Republic Party, symbolized by a ladder.
Chairman of the General Board of Directors of the Union for Egyptians Abroad, Engineer Ismail Ahmed stated,
With the beginning of the presidential elections and through the operations room continuing throughout the day, the headquarters of the General Union of Egyptians Abroad, Engineer Ismail Ahmed Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated that, he was following up with the entire crew from last Thursday evening with the start of voting in New Zealand and Australia on Friday evening
Engineer Ismail, Chairman of the Federation’s Board of Directors confirmed, the elections demonstrated the patriotism of the Egyptian people and their concern for the safety and security of the country
With the overseas voting segment concluded, Egyptians within the country are slated to participate in the electoral process from December 10 to 12. The final results are scheduled for announcement on December 18, as long as no runoff is necessary.
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