A record number of Poles will take part in Sunday’s presidential election while on holiday abroad.

Polling stations in holiday resorts in Egypt, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy are getting ready to receive an increased number of voters on 4 July.

“In Cairo and Hurghada (Egypt) more than 1,000 people are expected to cast their ballot. It’s three times more than during the first round of the presidential election. For the first time we opened a polling station in Hurghada, where there are many Polish tourists, and it has already become a kind of tourist attraction,” says Karol Lesniak from the Polish embassy told the PAP news agency.

In the Turkish resort of Antalya the number of people registered to vote has also increased threefold. Spain has also noticed a similar interest.

“Because of high season we expect more Polish tourists. As many as 5,443 have already registered to vote in Spain, which is more than 1,500 people in comparison with the first round,” says Marek Pernal, Polish consul to Barcelona.

To cater for Poles’ electoral needs, Spain has opened eleven polling stations, among others, in Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Valencia, Murcia, Mallorca.

Over 3,000 Poles have added their names to electoral rolls in Rome, which is 1,000 more than two weeks ago. Many more are expected, as Italy is one of Poles’ favourite tourist destinations. Except Rome, polling stations have also been opened in Milano and Naples. (mg)