Egypt: First round of presidential election scheduled to take place nationwide Dec. 10-12

Egypt is scheduled to conduct the first round of the presidential election Dec. 10-12. The incumbent, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is running against three broadly unpopular candidates and will likely be reelected. The main opposition leader previously running for president, Ahmed al-Tantawi, was condemned to six months in prison on Sept. 16, excluding him from the race.

Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near polling locations and other election-related institutions. Anti-government protests remain unlikely as demonstrations need to be approved. Spontaneous gatherings by opposition activists are possible in the run-up to the election. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out, particularly if demonstrators are overly disruptive or ignore police orders to disperse.