Election centers across the region opened their doors at 9:00 am local time, with polls set to stay open for three consecutive days and close each evening at 9:00 pm local time. The race centers on the incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who enters the ballot as the clear front-runner against a field of lesser-known challengers.
In a nation of more than 105 million people, some 67 million Egyptians were eligible to vote as the three-day process began. The eventual results are expected to be announced after the closing hours in each locality, following the end of voting days. National authorities had previously indicated that the schedule would span three days with results available afterward.
In Cairo’s Imbaba district, lines formed early at Ahmed Orabi Primary School, one of thousands of polling sites set up nationwide to accommodate the voter turnout. Across the country, voting centers were deployed with the aim of broad participation in the presidential election, marking a continuity of the electoral process that has become a regular feature of the political landscape.
Support for the vote was visible as many Egyptians carried national flags and joined the process with a festive atmosphere. Police, school officials, and volunteers helped organize queues and guide voters toward the ballot stations, with sound systems broadcasting music to accompany the polling environment and maintain order at the sites.
According to the National Electoral Authority, roughly 15,000 judges were tasked with overseeing voting tables and tallying results. The process also received oversight from tens of thousands of local observers, along with participation from international entities and diplomatic missions. In total, 24 embassies accredited to Egypt were monitoring the proceedings, signaling a high level of external interest in the electoral process.
The current president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, remains the overwhelming favorite in the campaign. He is joined on the ballot by several party figures, including Farid Zahran, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Abdel Sanad Yamama, leader of the Vefd Party, and Hazim Omer, a member of the Republican People’s Party. These candidates represent a spectrum of political voices, though the level of public visibility for each has varied in the run-up to voting day.
Observers note that these are among the first elections in Egypt with a relatively more open climate for political competition, a departure from earlier periods of tighter control. The authorities have emphasized a commitment to a democratic process, while opponents and international analysts have pointed to the challenges facing a genuine multi-party contest in a country that has seen rapid political change over the past decade.
Past elections in Egypt have featured overwhelming margins for the incumbent, with the results often contested by opposition groups. In the most recent cycles, the authorities highlighted strong support for the current leadership, while opponents argued that the competitive landscape did not fully reflect a pluralist political system. The new vote is being watched closely for indicators of broader political participation and public sentiment amid ongoing economic pressures.
Economic conditions remain a central backdrop to the election. Inflation has risen significantly in recent months, impacting household budgets, and the national currency has faced depreciation against major currencies. The country continues to grapple with a substantial foreign debt and ongoing fiscal reforms, factors that shape how voters weigh the candidates and their platforms. Analysts suggest that turnout could reveal perspectives on how Egyptians perceive affordability, stability, and the direction of national policy in the near term.
As voting proceeds, observers will evaluate not only the outcome but also the mechanics of the process, including accessibility for different regions and demographic groups. The three-day format is designed to maximize participation, with local authorities encouraging all eligible citizens to cast their ballots and participate in shaping the political landscape of the country. The election marks another chapter in Egypt’s ongoing political journey and its attempts to balance security, economic reform, and public engagement in a rapidly changing environment.