The government may allow Egyptians living abroad to vote in next year’s presidential elections, Manpower Minister Aisha Abdel Hadi said on Monday.
Speaking to the Egyptian community in Milan, Italy, the minister noted that Egyptian expatriates had the "constitutional right" to cast votes in national elections.
“We're studying the logistics at the moment,” she said.
Mohamed Rayan, deputy chairman of the Union of Egyptian Expatriates, said he had discussed the issue with Abdel Hadi some six months ago, and that she had promised to relay the idea to President Hosni Mubarak.
“Egyptian expats can cast their votes at Egyptian consulates all over the world,” said Rayan.
The Alliance of Egyptian Americans (AEA), for its part, welcomed the minister’s statements.
“We can help to establish the liaison between the various consulates,” said AEA Director Mahmoud al-Shazly.
Notably, Mohamed ElBaradei, political reformist and potential presidential candidate, has also called for allowing Egyptian expatriates to vote in upcoming elections.
The number of Egyptians residing abroad is currently estimated at six million.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
