Egypt election: Voters to elect president

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi (L) and his sole challenger Mousa Mostafa Mousa

Egyptians begin three days of voting on Monday to elect a new president in an election expected to produce a landslide for the sitting president.

There are few doubts that incumbent Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will win after most opposition candidates withdrew. The only other candidate is little-known centrist politician Mousa Mostafa Mousa.

A bus with the message "Be positive and come to vote" could be seen in Cairo

But Mr Mousa is known to be a supporter of the current leader, and has said he supports Mr Sisi's re-election.

Egypt, population 84 million, is the largest Arab country and has played a central role in Middle Eastern politics in modern times.

Why are there only two candidates?

Seven candidates initially put themselves forward for the presidency but the majority of these have withdrawn from the race.

Human rights lawyer Khalid Ali and former Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq both withdrew, citing intimidation.

Former chief of staff in the Egyptian army, Sami Anan, was detained in January after announcing his intention to run. He was widely considered to be the last high-profile challenger to the president.

It led some opposition figures to call for a boycott of the vote but Mr Sisi's campaign spokesman has said no candidates have been prevented from running.

The authorities have been encouraging voter participation and buses with loudspeakers drove through the capital Cairo playing songs urging people to turn out and vote.

• Egypt country profile