Polls are due to open across Egypt for two days of voting to choose a new president.
A huge security operation is under way for the vote, which will elect a successor to Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader who was ousted by the military last year.
Analysts predict an easy victory for Abdul Fattah al-Sisi the former army leader who led the removal of Morsi.
The only other candidate is veteran left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi.
The huge security operation drums home a familiar message from Egypt’s military-backed interim authorities – that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present.
Sisi, 59, appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, he adds.
President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Egypt’s military authorities have since clamped down hard on Morsi’s party, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a “terrorist organisation” and arresting its senior leaders and thousands of its members.
In his election campaign, Sisi has set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment.
He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left.
Hamdeen Sabahi, a previous presidential contender, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one.
He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights.
Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood.
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