Egyptian expatriates send strong message to western media: Abu Shoka

CAIRO – 19 March 2018: Egyptian expatriates succeeded to send a firm and clear message to the western media, which targeted the 2018 presidential election during the last period, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi electoral campaign's spokesperson Mohamed Bahaa el-Din Abu Shoka said on Sunday night.

He added in statements to “Ala Mas’olity” talk-show, aired on Sada al-Balad private channel, that Egyptian expatriates succeeded in protecting the image of their country.

Abu Shoka added that it appeared clear during the elections that President Sisi enjoys large popular support. He further described the electoral process that took place in Egypt's embassies and consulates during the past three days as a "wonderful election scene, according to people of all nationalities."

“As an electoral campaign for the incumbent president we had to be very cautious. We were firm regarding distinguishing the difference between Sisi as a candidate and as a president who is still in office,” Abu Shoka said, adding that the government didn’t interfere in the campaign by any means.

During the past three days, Egyptian expatriates cast their ballots all over the world in the 2018 presidential election. Consulates and embassies across the world officially opened their doors on Friday, March 16, at 9 a.m. local time in each country. The Egyptian Embassy in New Zealand was the first to host voters, given an 11-hour time difference with Cairo.

Egyptian Foreign Minister’s Deputy Hamden Loza said previously that all foreign missions have been provided with electronic scanners so voters’ ID cards and passports can be quickly scanned, noting that the whole expatriate voting process will be monitored by surveillance cameras linked with an operations room at the Foreign Ministry.

He added that the Foreign Ministry held training courses for committees that will supervise voting abroad under the supervision of the National Elections Authority (NEA), in addition to other procedures aiming to facilitate the electoral process.

In 2017, the government estimated the number of Egyptians living abroad at 9.4 million.

The NEA, headed by counselor Lasheen Ibrahim, announced on February 24 the final list for Egypt’s upcoming presidential election, including President Sisi and Moussa Moustafa Moussa, head of Al-Ghad Party.

The primary results of the first round of the election will be announced on March 29, where decisions on appeals submitted by candidates, if any, will be made. The final results of the first round will be announced on April 2.