Egyptian Expatriates Flock to Paris Embassy for Second Day of 2024 Presidential Voting

CAIRO - 2 December 2023: The Egyptian Embassy in Paris witnessed a surge in the turnout of the Egyptian community as they cast their votes in the 2024 presidential elections on the second day of voting for Egyptians abroad, which will continue until Sunday.

Voters were keen to bring their children along during the voting process, emphasizing the importance of participating in the electoral process to support state institutions and solidify the foundations of the democratic system. They proudly carried Egyptian flags, banners of support, and images of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Since the beginning of the voting, the staff at the Egyptian Embassy in Paris have worked to eliminate any obstacles for voters, providing clarification on the correct voting procedures and the necessary requirements set by the National Election Authority.

Several voters expressed that their participation in the overseas voting is a modest contribution to answering the call of the homeland. It also sends a message to the global public that Egyptians, both within the country and abroad, are eager to support the nation's stability and continue the comprehensive development process. This sentiment is felt even by members of the Egyptian diaspora across the world upon their return.

Ahead of the voting commencement, most embassies and consulates shared the National Election Authority's call for voters to elect the president through their social media accounts and official websites. This facilitated expatriates' access to all procedures and accommodations available during the voting process.

The final list of presidential candidates includes Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, symbolized by the star; Farid Zahran, symbolized by the sun; Abdel Sanad Yamama, symbolized by the palm tree; and Hazem Omar, symbolized by the peace sign.

Overseas voting for the 2024 Egyptian presidential elections began on Friday and will run for three days, concluding on Sunday across 137 subcommittees distributed in diplomatic missions worldwide. Egyptians abroad vote in person at the Egyptian embassy or consulate where they are located during the designated voting days, selecting their preferred candidate, and placing the ballot in the designated box.

The National Election Authority, led by Chairman Hazem Badawi, issued guidelines for the voting process of Egyptians abroad, ensuring the accuracy of their voting in elections held within the premises of missions and consulates. Voters are required to present proof of identity before the election committee outside the Arab Republic of Egypt, either through a valid national ID card or a passport with a valid National ID number.