Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (Photo: Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called Saturday on "all Egyptians to actively participate" in parliamentary elections starting this week.
Polling stations in 139 countries were opening on Saturday, receiving Egyptian expatriates who will vote until 9pm Sunday, according to each country's local time.
Polls at home will open Sunday and Monday in 14 governorates.
El-Sisi also called on the Egyptians to "feel the challenges and dangers surrounding our country that threaten what we achieved."
The president said that the people's will, in going to the streets in millions, is what made it possible to down "injustice and fascism," in reference to the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
He added that he wants to see Egyptian youth in the front lines of polling stations as they are "the main driving engine." He also asked the Egyptian women, "the national icon for sacrifice," to cast their ballots.
The second stage of parliamentary elections, when voters from the remaining 13 governorates will cast their ballots, will take place from 21-22 November abroad, and 22-23 November domestically.
The country has been without a parliament since the previous legislature, elected in late 2011, was dissolved in June 2012 after a court ruled electoral laws in place to be unconstitutional.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi currently holds legislative powers.
Once a parliament is elected its members will have to vote on all laws issued by El-Sisi and his predecessor, Interim President Adly Mansour.
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