- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Egyptians in Saudi vote in Egypt presidential elections
- Date: 15th May 2014
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (MAY 15, 2014) (REUTERS) VOTERS STANDING IN QUEUE AT EGYPTIAN EMBASSY ELECTION EMPLOYEE SCANNING VOTER'S PASSPORT VARIOUS OF VOTER VOTING VARIOUS OF EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR AFIFI ABDUL-WAHAB ASKING VOTER TO TAKE OFF A T-SHIRT WITH PICTURE OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA, AFIFI ABDUL-WAHAB, SAYING: "This huge turnout reflects a real and strong will from all the Egyptians living in the kingdom to express their views freely and to complete the second demand of the road map which is the presidential elections." VARIOUS OF WOMAN IN WHEEL CHAIR VOTING WOMAN VOTER AND OTHER WOMAN CHANTING (Arabic): "LONG LIVE EGYPT, LONG LIVE EGYPT!" BANNER SHOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF VOTING FAMILY LEAVING EGYPTIAN EMBASSY AFTER VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOTER, AMANI, SAYING: "I voted for Sisi because anyone who comes from the military makes us sure that our country is his first and only concern, unlike any other people. Our army, everything it does in the country is for our sakes. It doesn't do anything wrong." VOTERS IN POLLING STATION
- Embargoed: 30th May 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA5LL40EB1V8HJWEAQZN0JV2H80
- Story Text: Hundreds of Egyptians went to the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh on Thursday (May 15) to cast their ballots in the first presidential elections since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013.
According to the International Organisation for Migration, based in Cairo, there are over 900,000 Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia, the largest community of Egyptians outside of Egypt.
Many citizens lined up outside the embassy waving flags as they waited to cast their vote. However, voters were asked to remove any images or symbols representing any of the candidate, in case it influenced other voters.
Egypt's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Afifi Abdul Wahab, said the turnout was impressive.
"This huge turnout reflects a real and strong will from all the Egyptians living in the kingdom to express their views freely and to complete the second demand of the road map which is the presidential elections," he said outside the embassy.
Egypt goes to the polls to elect a new president on May 26-27, but those living abroad are voting this week.
Former Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win the poll easily, countering a call for a boycott by allies of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi.
Sisi, who deposed Mursi after mass protests against his rule last July, faces only one competitor in the election - leftist Hamdeen Sabahi. He came third in the 2012 election won by Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sisi's supporters see him as the kind of strong figure needed to stabilise a country in crisis.
"I voted for Sisi because anyone who comes from the military makes us sure that our country is his first and only concern, unlike any other people. Our army, everything it does in the country is for our sakes. It doesn't do anything wrong," said voter Amani after casting her ballot.
With Sisi expected to win comfortably, the vote is not likely to go to a second round.
The result of the first round will be announced no later than June 5, the organising committee said at a news conference to outline the timeline for the voting.
Egyptians last voted earlier this year in a referendum on a new constitution. It was approved by more than 98 percent of those who cast ballots, with a turnout of 39 percent, according to official results. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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