Mubarak Flip Flopping with our Voting Rights.

Recent news articles have again shown that the current Egyptian Administration has little intention to give Egyptian expatriates a mechanism by which to express their right to vote. In accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we are seeking a remedy to the infringement of the constitutionally protected right of the seven million Egyptians living abroad.  

Internationally renowned constitutional expert, Yehia El Gamal has filled suit in Egypt on behalf of several Egyptians, including members of the Egyptian Association for Change, to demand that the Egyptian government remedy the situation and implement a voting abroad program. As we await a court date, the administration has continued to give conflicting messages on the issue.

The Constitutional argument for voting abroad is based on article No. (62), which states that "citizens have the right to vote and express their opinions in referendums in accordance with the provisions of the law, and their participation in public life is a national duty"; article No. (40), which states that "All citizens are equal before the law in rights and duties without discrimination among them "; article No. (52) which gives Egyptian citizens the right of permanent or temporary immigration to other countries; and article No. (63) which gives every Egyptian the right to address in writing under his/her signature public authorities.

The Egyptian Association for Change envisions a peaceful and democratic Egypt that guarantees social justice, equality, human rights, as well as political and economic freedoms for all its citizens. To that end, we call for a clearly defined mechanism by which Egyptian living abroad can vote, and the implementation of the mechanism by the Presidential elections of 2011.

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The Egyptian Association for Change is a non-profit, non-partisan non-sectarian organization that is committed to Egypt’s democratic, political, social, and economic reforms. For interviews please call Nadine Wahab at (202) 596-5458 or email  media@eacusa.org

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