Dozens of Tunisians who live in Egypt flocked to the Tunisian Embassy in Cairo on Thursday to cast their votes in the election for a constituent assembly that will be responsible for drafting a new constitution. The voters expressed joy, and some noted that it was the first time in their lives to share in an electoral process. One of the women was so moved by the event that she cried while casting her vote. Some voters faced problems because lists of voters did not include their names, which were announced by the embassy before the election. Most of the journalists were not able to follow the voting process from inside the embassy, because the Supreme Commission for Elections decreed that journalists and observers must first obtain permits. Tunisian expatriates began voting Thursday morning, three days before the official start of elections in Tunisia. The constituent assembly election is Tunisia's first free election held in 23 years, and follows the ouster of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali late last year. Tunisians are supposed to elect 18 members out of 217 candidates for the constituent body. Elections for expatriates are scheduled to take place over three days, from Thursday until Saturday. They are taking place in Tunisian consulates and embassies in 6 districts, France, Italy, Germany, North America, and the Arab states. Translated from the Arabic Edition
