Egypt’s Presidential Race Kicks Off For Egyptians Abroad

Egyptians living abroad have commenced voting on 16 March for Egypt’s new President at embassies and consulates across the world.

Egyptians living in New Zealand and Australia were the first to participate in the elections which are being contested by Egypt’s current President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Mousa Mostafa Mousa.

Mousa, a last-minute candidate, is the chairperson of Al-Ghad Party, an Egyptian political party.

One of the first to vote in the Egyptian Presidential Elections today. May God bless Egypt and it’s people. pic.twitter.com/4POCcAV5E2

— Bishop Suriel (@BishopSuriel) March 15, 2018

According to the latest figures, there are more than 9.5 million Egyptians living abroad. However, not all of those living abroad are registered or are eligible to vote. Many Egyptians abroad lack Egyptian passports and national identities, an issue that Egypt’s government has been attempting to tackle in recent years.

In order to vote, Egyptians abroad need to have a national identity card that lists an address in Egypt.

In the 2014 elections, more than 220,000 Egyptians abroad participated in the elections. The majority of voters tend to be living in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

Elections for Egyptians abroad are scheduled for 16-19 March and will be followed by elections in Egypt between 26-28 March.