Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Ali el-Ashiri has stressed that the ministry backed its missions in Gulf states with a sufficient number of members as part of preparations to enable Egyptian expats to vote in a referendum on the constitution. In press statements Thursday, Ashiri said the arrangements for the referendum are still ongoing, adding the Egyptian embassies abroad had made the required preparations for the voting to be held on December 8-11. Egyptian nationals can vote in person or can send their ballots via post offices, the Egyptian official said.