EGYPTIANS will for three days as of today flock to balloting stations to elect the country's president for the four years to come-a profound patriotic undertaking that will reassert the worthiness and value of the national march for rebuilding, reconstruction and stability. A week ago, Egyptians living abroad cast their ballots in the first stage of presidential elections which saw noticeably high turnout even though expatriates had, in some cases, had to travel long distances and face severe weather conditions to reach the polling stations that were set up at Egyptian diplomatic and consular missions in some 120 countries. In addition to reiterating the genuine connection between expatriates and the homeland, last week first stage of the presidential elections implied a solid indicator of the presence of a strong and wide awareness of the value of public participation in national decision-making processes. Noting the impressive keenness on the part of expatriates on practicing their constitutional rights and actively engaging in the electoral process, President Sisi then expressed confidence that the elections in the homeland will see equally intensive participation. In preparation for the second stage of the presidential elections which starts today, the Armed Forces have in coordination with the civilian Police put in place all measures deemed necessary to ensure that the entire elections be held in atmosphere of security and peacefulness. In addition to these measures, polling stations in all governorates have been duly equipped and readied to receive voters so as to facilitate public participation. The government ministries and departments concerned have also initiated extensive action to apprise eligible voters nationwide of the preparations and facilities including in the foremost the introduction of multiple platforms to make it easy for each and every eligible voter to identify the name and address of his/her polling station. Special mention should also be made of the arrangements planned to forestall crowding and long queuing. The organising bodies should also be particularly lauded for their marked keenness on taking care of such humanitarian aspects as facilitating the access to polling booths and the vote casting procedures for people of special needs and old people. By all standards, today's elections implies a strong indicator of the will of the people of Egypt and their unshakable resolve to staunchly support the national march for the realisation of sustainable development and stability. Furthermore, the electoral process will practically deepen the democratic practice and the citizens' exercise of their constitutional and political rights. For all these considerations, the presidential elections today represents a landmark step forwards in Egypt's ongoing drive to strengthen the foundations of the modern state.
