Egyptians begin voting on May 26 to choose a new president after the military's ouster last year of the country's first democratically elected leader, the Islamist Muhammad Morsi.
All but certain to win is the man who removed Morsi, the former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Sisi has largely ruled Egypt since toppling Morsi last July and cracking down on his Muslim Brotherhood.
Security forces have largely driven the Brotherhood underground after hundreds were killed and thousands arrested.
More than a thousand Brotherhood supporters have been sentenced to death.
Supporters are confident Sisi can tackle the country's problems, including an energy crisis and Islamist militant violence that has driven away foreign investors and tourists.
But critics, including Amnesty International, have pointed to gross human rights violations committed during the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.
Voting ends May 27.
All but certain to win is the man who removed Morsi, the former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Sisi has largely ruled Egypt since toppling Morsi last July and cracking down on his Muslim Brotherhood.
Security forces have largely driven the Brotherhood underground after hundreds were killed and thousands arrested.
More than a thousand Brotherhood supporters have been sentenced to death.
Supporters are confident Sisi can tackle the country's problems, including an energy crisis and Islamist militant violence that has driven away foreign investors and tourists.
But critics, including Amnesty International, have pointed to gross human rights violations committed during the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.
Voting ends May 27.