The Foreign Ministry seeks to develop an expatriate voting process for any upcoming elections or referendums in collaboration with other state bodies, it said Thursday.
The ministry’s official spokesperson, Menha Bakhoum, said in a statement that there are many obstacles to organizing the balloting process for Egyptians abroad, such as the absence of legislative rules.
The interim government granted Egyptian expatriates voting rights when it amended election laws earlier this year.
However, in an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Maged Othman ruled out the possibility of expatriates taking part in parliamentary elections set for September.
Bakhom said the ministry is keen on all Egyptians participating in elections and referendums after consulting the High Elections Committee and other state bodies tasked with organizing and running elections.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) offered up the draft law regulating parliamentary elections for public debate last month.
Several political movements announced their reservations on the draft law and called for abolishing an article stating that 50 percent of seats must go to workers and farmers. The article, they said, weakened the role of Parliament. They also demanded that all members be fully aware of Parliament’s legislative role.
Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal on Monday said that the draft law would be presented to the Egyptian government on Wednesday.
