Egyptians abroad head to the polls

Foreign Ministry operation rooms are reporting a smooth voting process on the first day Egyptians abroad are set to participate in the country’s presidential elections, the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.

Egyptians abroad will head to the polls between May 15–18.

Initial reports from Egyptian embassies and consulates indicate a high turnout, as 141 voting committees opened their doors to voters in 124 countries.

Abdel Aziz Soleiman, spokesperson for the High Elections Commission, said the total number of voters abroad has so far reached over 48,700 on the first day, reported the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram.

Soleiman added that there have been no complaints thus far, according to Ahram.

The Foreign Ministry is urging embassies and consulates to facilitate the voting process, MENA said, and provide adequate security for voters.

Italy, France and Lebanon reported particularly high voter turn out, MENA added.

The official Facebook page for presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi reported minor irregularities in different voting stations, where campaigners for his rival, former Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, distributed campaign material in violation of guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Sisi campaign’s official Facebook page called on voters to send in pictures of themselves from abroad to be featured on the page.

The presidential elections will be held in Egypt on May 26 and 27.