Egypt will witness on Monday its third presidential election since the 2011 revolution, with two candidates running: sitting President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and politician Moussa Mostafa Moussa.
The election will take place inside Egypt from 26-28 March.
The election’s results are scheduled to be announced on 2 April. In case a run-off is needed, a second round of voting would take place later in April, if neither of the candidates secures more than 50% of the vote.
Earlier, the National Electoral Commission warned candidates against violating their rival’s privacy rights, threatening national peace, or using religious slogans that discriminate between citizens. It further warned against using violence, threats, or bribes.
The commission also proscribed the use of state-owned buildings, vital facilities, means of transportation, public sector companies, and NGOs in campaigning.
On Monday, the armed forces and the police started the process of securing schools and governmental buildings which will serve as polling stations. The military spokesperson announced that security forces will “work on providing a secure environment for Egyptians to vote safely, and quell any attempt to endanger the safety of the nation.”
The personnel present to secure the polls will include special forces and paratroopers, the spokesperson said, adding that delegations from the military press office will be present around the polls to “enlighten civilians as well as monitor local and foreign media.”
Egypt Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal said on Sunday that the extensive turnout of Egyptian voters at the polls on Monday will send a clear and determined message to the world that the Egyptian people are united and mobilised behind their political leadership.
Abdel Aal urged—on the sidelines of the 138th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva—”all who desire to impose stability, build a modern Egyptian society based on human development, and developing all facilities of the country to participate in the presidential election and enjoy their constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizen above 18 years.” He further said, “Egyptians abroad presented an honourable example in terms of heavily participating at polling stations at Egyptian embassies, which sends a message to all people inside Egypt to vote.”
