Egyptian authorities roam streets on buses urging citizens to vote for Al-Sisi

Reuters reported that buses with loudspeakers blasting out songs about the importance of voting were touring central Cairo on the eve of the Egyptian presidential election, which analysts say lacks credible challengers to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Bearing the seal of the Cairo municipality, the buses also displayed printed messages such as “be positive” and “participate in the 2018 presidential election” Reuters indicated.

According to Reuters, polls open on Monday for three days in what is effectively a referendum on the performance of former military general Sisi, who is expected to coast to an easy victory against a little-known candidate who is considered a Sisi admirer.

Sisi, who led the overthrow of Egypt’s first freely elected president in 2013, wants a high turnout to affirm his legitimacy after all credible opponents dropped out in January, citing intimidation by the authorities after his main challenger was jailed, Reuters said.

Opposition figures have called for a boycott of the election, while Sisi’s campaign spokesman has said the government had not prevented any candidate from running, Reuters explained.