Egyptians headed to the polls Monday in a presidential election to choose between incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and a little-known politician who has struggled to make the case he is a serious contender.
Polling stations opened at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) for the three-day vote, in which Sisi is all but guaranteed to win a second four-year term.
The president was among the first voters, shown on Egyptian television casting his ballot at a school in Cairo's Heliopolis district under tight security.
The president was among the first voters, shown on Egyptian television casting his ballot at a school in Cairo's Heliopolis district under tight security.
Voters turned up early at polling stations and queued to cast their votes. Outside some stations, musical troupes showed up to celebrate the election.
"What's the alternative other than Sisi? If we don't come to vote would that benefit the country?" said Adel Sameeh, 66, an insurance consultant.
Security forces were deployed across the country to protect polling booths and armoured vehicles were stationed at several points around Cairo.
"Nothing will scare the Egyptian people. Not terrorism or anything else," Prime Minister Sherif Ismail told state television after casting his vote.
The Islamic State group's Egyptian affiliate, which has killed hundreds of soldiers and civilians, has threatened attacks on election infrastructure.
On Saturday, two policemen were killed in a car bomb attack targeting the provincial head of security for the northern Alexandria governorate. The security chief was unharmed.
Some 60 million people in Egypt, the most populated Arab country, are registered to vote on March 26, 27, and 28. Official results are expected on April 2.
