NGOs have great role in constitutional referendum: NEA

CAIRO – 20 April 2019: Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the National Election Authority stressed the importance the NEA attaches to the Civil Society Organization's international follow-up in terms of the constitutional referendum.

He also lauded the NGOs role regarding holding the referendum process.

Ibrahim met on Saturday with delegations from three NGOs including that of Volunteers Without Borders. During the meeting he reviewed the efforts of the NEA to prepare for the referendum, provide technical and logistical support to ensure that referendum is held in a fair and transparent way.

The first day of the referendum kicked off in Egypt, where polling stations across governorates have opened their doors at 9 a.m., and will close at 9 p.m. for three consecutive days.

TV channels showed queues of voters at some polling stations waiting minutes before the doors were opened and they were allowed in to cast their ballot by either agree or disagree on a set of proposed constitutional amendments passed by the parliament Tuesday.

A number of societal dialogues were held over the past weeks attended by various segments and experts in the country, to discuss the amendments ahead of a plenary session at the House of Representatives, where parliamentarians voted for passing them.

A total of 61 million eligible voters were called for casting their ballots in the public referendum on the constitutional amendments.