CAIRO: Egyptian courts decided today to allow Egyptian nationals living abroad to vote in national elections. Egypt will set up voting centers at embassies abroad to allow expat nationals to vote for parliamentary elections. The decision comes pending approval from Egypt's interim ruling government, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). Egyptians living abroad could change the face of Egyptian elections, as their numbers near an estimated 8 million people. Social networking sites have lit up with celebrations regarding the announcement, as expats congratulate one another for their long-awaited political gain. “Many Egyptians chose to educate themselves or work abroad, but their hearts are in Egypt, and they will vote for what is best for Egypt,” Nader Wahba, an Egyptian student studying in the United States, told Bikyamasr.com upon hearing the news. The government is expected to allow Egyptian expatriates to vote in upcoming presidential elections, anticipated for sometime next year. They may also grant Egyptian expatriates the right to vote in the country's referendum votes, such as the constitutional referendum expected to take place next year. Egyptian expatriates recently launched a digital “Right to Vote” campaign to advocate for their rights as Egyptian nationals. Egypt's parliamentary elections are scheduled to begin on November 28, and will take place in several phases, with upper house elections ending on March 24, 2012. The new parliament will adjourn on March 17, 2012. BM