Islam Times - El-Sisi Heading to Easy Victory in Egypt’s Presidential Election

Islam Times - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is set for easy victory at the country’s presidential elections as he will face only one candidate - al-Ghad party leader Mussa Mustapha Mussa, who has previously expressed his support for el-Sisi.

The deadline for nominations passed on Monday with only Sisi and Mussa Mustapha Mussa confirmed as candidates.

Several other hopefuls had announced, but then quickly withdrew their nominations under pressure and threats of prosecution from the Egyptian state.

Mussa's candidacy was announced only hours before the midday nomination deadline - but given that he backs the president; his candidacy would appear to ensure that Sisi will not be the only name on the ballot on 26 March.

Early on Monday, Mussa's Facebook page carried a portrait of the president, with the statement "Long live Egypt: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for president."

Last week, media reports said Sayyed al-Badawi, leader of the old liberal al-Wafd party, was a potential candidate. But he withdrew on Saturday and announced his backing for Sisi.

Last week, Egyptian security forces have arrested a retired general after denying him permission to run in presidential poll.

El-Sisi became famous in 2013 after leading the army’s ouster of his Muslim Brotherhood predecessor Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president. While couching it as a war on terrorism, he oversaw a sweeping crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood that left hundreds of the movement’s members dead and thousands more imprisoned.

As the crackdown expanded to activists and other dissenters, critics argued el-Sisi practically creating a police state which now guarantees him ‘victory’ in the coming elections.