Amr Badr, spokesperson for Hamdeen Sabbahi’s electoral campaign, said on Tuesday that the results of the votes of Egyptians abroad are not indicative of the final outcome of the elections, contending that Sabbahi came in fifth place abroad in the 2012 elections then in third place in the final overall results.
He said there are 53 million citizens that have the right to vote at home. “They will determine the results, not the 314,000 abroad,” he said, claiming that Egyptians abroad seek their personal interests, which are influenced by foreign investors.
“Egyptians abroad are afraid to vote for Sabbahi lest they get deported to Egypt,” he claimed, adding that what he called “propaganda” media of the Mubarak regime is delivering a false message for Egyptians abroad that there is a bomb placed outside very house in Egypt for them to vote for the candidate who will fight terrorism and maintain security. “But Sabbahi’s chances are rising because his platform is based on social justice.”
He denied the campaign is disappointed at the results of the voting abroad. “The media is using this to promote Sisi,” he said. “But we will continue.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
