Egypt prepares for presidential vote as Sisi seeks second term

Security was deployed outside polling stations around Cairo on Sunday as the country gears up for the presidential election, which analysts say lacks credible challengers to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Polls open on Monday for three days in what is effectively a referendum on the performance of former military general Sisi, who is expected to coast to an easy victory against a little-known candidate who is considered a Sisi admirer.

The military said on Sunday that it had dispatched special vehicles around Egypt to assure Egyptians of a “secure climate” for voting, and policemen were seen on Friday, handing out posters urging people to vote.

Sisi, who led the overthrow of Egypt’s first freely elected president in 2013, wants a high turnout to affirm his legitimacy after all credible opponents dropped out in January, citing intimidation by the authorities after his main challenger was jailed.

Opposition figures have called for a boycott of the election, while Sisi’s campaign spokesman has said the government had not prevented any candidate from running.