On the morning of May 15, Egyptians abroad started voting in the presidential elections at Egyptian embassies and consulates around the world. International voting stations are open for four days after which voting will take place in Egypt on May 26-27. Preliminary data from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry showed extensive participation in the voting at the embassies around the world, but a report released on May 16 said that, as of 2 p.m. that day, 100,000 persons had voted. This is a small number considering that 8 million Egyptians live abroad, but it is a reasonable figure considering that 305,000 expatriates voted in the first round of the 2012 presidential elections. It should be noted that the Higher Election Committee has decided not to allow voting by mail. 

Some have pointed to the rising fortunes of Hamdeen Sabahi, especially in electronic polls on the websites of several independent newspapers, and said that he may spring a surprise, like he did in the 2012 election. On the other hand, many think that Sabahi’s candidacy was pointless, especially when some early opinion polls indicated that Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will win with a vote of between 72% and 76%.

Others even questioned the seriousness of the elections itself and asserted that millions will boycott it. 

Over and above, there is still the “conspiracy theory” camp, which accuses Sabahi of choosing to run only to legitimize the elections. This group says that the elections will be like the security state referendums that Egypt has seen from the 1952 revolution until the revolution in January 2011.