Egypt: Al-Ghad party fields candidate for 2018 presidential election /update 1

Event

Moussa Mustafa Moussa of Egypt's Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) party formally submitted documents to the Egyptian National Elections Commission in Cairo on Monday, January 29, to become a candidate for the 2018 Egyptian presidential election. Moussa is expected to be the only opponent running against incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the election, scheduled for March 26-28. Moussa's candidacy, however, is not anticipated to represent a significant threat to al-Sisi's reelection. Campaign events are expected to be staged in Cairo and other urban centers in Egypt in the coming weeks; a heightened security presence is expected and associated transportation disruptions are possible in affected areas.

An increase in the frequency and intensity of demonstrations may be observed during the upcoming campaign and electoral period. Demonstrations may devolve into violent clashes between opposing political groups or between demonstrators and security forces.

Context

The first round of Egypt's presidential elections will be held on March 26-28, four years after al-Sisi was elected in 2014. The final list of candidates is expected to be revealed on February 24. In the event that no candidate secures 50 percent of the vote in the March election, a runoff election will be held on April 25-26. Official results of the March 26-28 vote will be released on April 2.

The 2018 presidential election is the third such election to take place in Egypt since President Husni Mubarak was ousted from power by mass protests in 2011.

Advice

Individuals in Egypt are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid any related demonstrations or protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.​