More than 185,000 armed forces members are set to participate in securing the upcoming elections with the police, the general command of the armed forces announced Thursday. Security forces are set to secure 18,945 polling stations in the first round of elections that kick off next week on 17 and 18 October. The general command of the armed forces said they have taken the necessary preparations and procedures to provide a 'safe climate for millions of Egyptians to participate in choosing who represents them', as ordered by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. In the framework of the final preparations, the chief of staff of the armed forces, General Mahmoud Hegazi, inspected the central military zone to check the forces' levels of readiness. Hegazi made sure the forces understood the duties and missions they are assigned, along with the coordination of efforts with the interior ministry in governorates in order to provide the appropriate climate for voters to cast their votes in 'complete freedom' without allowing for any attempts to influence their 'free will'. The first phase includes the governorates of Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira and Matrouh. source:Ahram Online
