In one memorable night, the count of the votes in the first free presidential election took place in the Egyptian Embassy in London.  Sami Ahmed was there observing the counting process on behalf of the ESoc.  The counting started immediately after 8:00 pm Thursday 17 May and was completed at about 5:00 am the following day.  Representitives of the Presidential candidates, and individuals from the Egyptian communities in London, Belfast and Birmingham were there observing the count.  The counting process went really smooth. The results were formally decalred by the Egyptain Ambassador at 5:30 am .  4077 cast their votes from 6252 who registered (65.2 %), and vaild votes were 4020 (98.6%).  The results were as follows:

Dr Aboul Fotouh      1300 votes (32.3%)

Mr Sabahi                   962 votes (23.9%)

Mr Musa                     907 votes (22.6%)

Dr Morsy                    354  votes ( 8.8%)

Dr Shafiek                  321  votes ( 8.0%)

Dr Hany Eldeeb MESco member who was observing on behalf of the newly established Egyptian British Forum said “It was really an important step towards modern Egypt which we were dreaming abount for many years”

 

Number of keen Egyptians who wanted to cast their votes in the first free presidential election in modern Egyptian history, queued patiently in the TOP at Solihull. The voting process went smoothly where at least 50 elected their preferred candidate.  MESoc prepared computer terminals, Internet, printer and photo copier  to facilitate the voting process.

Mr Heshmat Khalifa , Islamic Releif Manager, said after sealing his voting envelope and before taking it the nearby Post Office:  ”I am really pleased to be part of this novel experience which we waited for it all our life.

The first round of the Egyptian Presidential Election will start from 11 to 17 May.  Those who registered their names will be entitled to vote. The voting process for Egyptians abroad is as previous Parliament elections.

The MESco is planning to organise a “ballot Station” in the TOP at Solihull. We will have  a number of computer terminals where people can vote in private. We also will have photocopying machine to copy your Egyptian ID, your British passport or Driving Licence.  You will prepare your voting paper, seal it in an envelope, put the copy of your British ID, Egyptian ID and the first sealed envelope in a second larger envelope to be mailed the Embassy as required by the election authority. It will be your responsibility to deliver / mail to the Egyptian Embassy in London.

Come and vote between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday12 May.  The Olton Project, TOP address is 45a Warwick Rd, Olton, Solihull, B92 7HS.  Click here for directions / map You need only to bring your your Egyptian ID, British ID (passport or driving licence, or University card)  and your election registration number.  

It is very important that we all vote.  Your vote will help chose the first truly elected president in a free and fair election in Egypt modern history.

Posted by Dr Maged Sonkor

At last the Egyptian government came out with a definitive clear vehicle to enable the Egyptians who live abroad to support our people,  our country’s economy and hopefully stop government to continue to extend a hand to different countries and international organisations begging for our people’s food. I need not to mention the consequences of a high debt bill tiring our economy for decades and the more serious inevitable loss of our independence and freedom for generations to come.

The Egyptian government has recently issued the Egyptian US Dollar Certificate to be purchased exclusively by Egyptians who live abroad. Interestingly, it is also highly rewarding investment of a high income of 4% if it is left to  mature for 3 years.  This rate can’t be matched by any international banking investment when current available interest is between 1% to 1.5%.

The US Dollar Certificates are currently marketed as a first phase among Egyptians who live in gulf countries. Over the last two weeks I’ve been in communication and negotiation with the Egyptian National Bank – UK branch to find a way to make it available to us here in UK – it is done; you will find attached an application form you need to fill in order to purchase those certificates (please copy and give to friends) then follow one of the two options in the attached sheet

Finally I want to mention few more points:

1.      I agree that things are still mercury in Egypt and there are many shortcomings of the current government but we can’t penalise our poor people and make them pay the price.

The only way to keep up our dreams and our hopes and shape the future is by “hands on” if we don’t,  it would be only one verdict, the verdict of failure and spiral downhill path to our country and our people.

2.      The certificates are exclusive to Egyptians abroad, Egyptians on homeland or people of other nationalities can’t purchase them and It is our opportunity to show our power and influence. It is also a very lucrative investment not matched by any current banking investment

3.      For those who oppose the idea of having interests they can either relinquish the interests to the government (would be even better contribution) or distribute it among other poor people

I finally would like to thank Mr. Mokhtar ElShennawy, Madamme Rasha Anis and Madame Evan Darwish –  NBE  UK for their tremendous effort to get this service available to us here in UK and their commitment to continue to facilitate the service and support applicants

Click here to download Application Form and information Sheets which includes the following:  Features and Conditions  (2 sheets), Features and Conditions (3 sheets Arabic) , Application Form (2 sheets), and Instruction sheet on how to apply.

Also you can watch the TV program giving further information http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cm2RClM5II

 

MESoc members met on Saturday 28 April 2012 in the TOP in Solihull. A telephone link was established with Mr Hamdeen Sabahi, the presidential candidate . The question and answer session lasted for 45 minutes. Mr Sabahi gave his frank response to a wide range of questions.

A short video message from Mr Sabahi to the Egyptians abroad setting his plans to work with them, was shown at the start of the meeting.

 The main points of Mr Sabahi’s response were:

• Yes he is Nassirate but he will be taking the good parts of Nasser’s experience such as alliance with the poor, Arab nationalistic approach and ensure the voice of Egypt is heard. He will not of course follow Nasser’s example when it comes to lack of democracy and the culture of  torture or the dominance of one person.
• The ongoing discussions with the those candidates on the left (Bastawisi, and Aboul Ezz Alhariry) to work together is progressing well.
• He is willing to cooperate with any candidate who was in Tahrir square. However, he believes that the Islamists must not be allowed to take all powers in Egypt.
• He is not expecting the Supreme Army Council to stay in power after 30 June.
• He believes that Egyptian Courts will deliver fair and just verdict on Mubarak, his sons, and his senior aides, however he is not prepared to say what he would do, if Mubarak was acquitted.
• Egypt has the resources for solving all current problems (health, education, security, slums, homeless, etc.). All what is needed is stop corruption
• He stated his first decision as Egyptian president (if elected) to be on social justice orders e.g. to fix minimum and maximum wages,
• He will do his best to bring back to Egypt all the money stolen by the previous regime. He will rely on good relationships with foreign governments for their help in this matter.
• He asks all Egyptians abroad to vote, inform others, and financial help will be welcomed from those who are willing to help. There is an account in Misr Bank and he is asking every Egyptian to donate one Egyptian pound for his campaign.

We are hoping to organise more conversations with other candidates in the near future