Egypt to hold May 26-27 presidential election
Egyptians will vote on May 26-27 in a presidential election that Abdel Fattah al Sisi is expected to win easily, meaning the former army chief could be sworn in as head of state by early June. Sisi enjoys backing from supporters who see him as Egypt’s saviour. It will be the second time Egyptians have voted in a presidential election in less than two years. So far, the only other candidate is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in the 2012 election that was contested by more than a dozen politicians from across the political spectrum. With Sisi expected to win comfortably, the vote is not likely to go to a second round.
The result of the first round will be announced no later than June 5, the organising committee said at a news conference to outline the timeline for the voting. Sisi stepped down as defence minister and army chief in order to announce his candidacy last Wednesday. He has been lionised by state- and privately-run media that are overwhelmingly loyal to the army-backed government. Parliamentary elections are expected to follow the presidential vote, though a date has yet to be set. Egypt’s next president faces huge challenges including a reviving an economy hit by more than three years of political turmoil.
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