Security forces train to protect polling stations

At the behest of Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, over 160,000 officers and conscripts will secure polling stations next week in coordination with the Interior Ministry, said a statement issued by Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Ali on Friday.

The draft constitution is scheduled be put up to national referendum amid heightened security measures on January 14 and 15. Voting will take place in over 30,000 polling stations across the country.

Armed Forces and Central Security Forces have undergone training exercises in cooperation with the Air Forces and Special Forces in preparation for securing the stations.

 Protests or attempts to disrupt the voting process would be met with “legal methods” such as tear gas and water cannons, the statement said, and security forces are prepared to potentially arrest rioters “while exercising self-restraint to protect citizens’ lives.”

Armed Forces personnel also received training to “confront possible terrorist threats,” Ali said.

Security forces would also be tasked with assisting voters with any difficulties — especially senior citizens and those with special needs — as well as facilitating the work of civil society organizations and media personnel covering the referendum, the statement added.

The National Alliance to Protect Legitimacy has called for week-long protests against what it calls the “void referendum” on the draft constitution.