Egyptians flock to vote at their embassy in Amman

AMMAN – Egyptians residing in the Kingdom headed to their embassy on Saturday to cast their votes for their country’s first parliamentary elections since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. 

Egypt’s state-run news agency MENA says embassies and consulates in 139 countries will be open for two days of voting, according to The Associated Press.

Egyptian Ambassador to Jordan Khaled Tharwat described the elections as the third step on the path towards a bright future for Egypt.

“The parliamentary elections are the third step in the roadmap after the revolution… all segments of society met to put [together] a roadmap that consisted of the constitution, the presidential elections and, finally, the parliamentary elections,” he told The Jordan Times at the embassy. 

The Egyptian diplomat said the coming parliament will have more power and authority than it has had in the past. 

Tharwat predicted that many Egyptians will flock to the embassy to vote. 

“Nationals register at the embassy and staff members check whether they are eligible to vote or not. Not all citizens are eligible to cast their votes… the ones who can are the ones who have a national ID or computerised passports,” he added.    

Tharwat also said Egyptians have to prove they live abroad.

Egyptians interviewed by The Jordan Times expressed hope that the parliamentary elections will be a positive step in the future of their country. 

Um Khaled, who spoke to The Jordan Times as she was waiting her turn outside the embassy, said she wanted her country to be more organised, calling on the candidates to support Egypt’s social sector more. 

Hussein Abdulaal Abdul Aziz, who has been in Jordan for 17 years, said he went to the embassy to cast his vote as a show of support for Egypt. 

“I came here in support for the government and I want Egypt to stand on its feet. I hope that the parliament will rectify the negative points that existed in the past,” he added.  

Rajab Ismail, another voter who has been residing in the capital for 20 years, described the elections as “important”. 

“I want a good parliament that speaks on behalf of myself and all Egyptians. Once parliament is formed, all aspects of life including the social and economic ones will improve,” he added.  

In Egypt, the vote will be staggered, with polling in half of the governorates set to start Sunday. 

The election will take place in two phases, concluding in early December, according to AP.