Egyptians are going to the polls on Monday in an election that is almost certain to result in victory for the president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, after all credible s were prevented from getting on the ballot.
Polling stations opened at 0700 GMT on Monday for a three-day vote under tight security measures across the country.
Some 60 million people are eligible to vote and official results are expected to be released on April 2.
Voters are choosing between Sisi and his sole challenger, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, a vocal supporter of the army-chief-turned-president.
In the months leading up to the vote, six presidential hopefuls either ended up behind bars or dropped out citing obstacles to registering and harassment by state security services.
Sisi’s most serious potential rival, ex-general Sami Annan, was arrested by the Egyptian military just days after he announced his bid on charges of breaching army regulations.
After all the candidates were thrown out, little-known politician Moussa, who had been leading Sisi’s election campaign, suddenly announced he would be running right before the registration deadline expired.
The government has mounted a fierce campaign in an attempt to boost numbers at the polls. Turnout is seen as the only issue that will be in doubt in this election.
Source: Agencies
