CAIRO - Egyptians are gearing up for the much-anticipated presidential election, which is expected to grant a third term to President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi. The election comes against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis and the impact of the neighboring war in Gaza. This will be the first election since a constitutional referendum passed in 2019, allowing Sisi to remain in office until 2030.

President Sisi, who assumed power in a military coup in 2013, sees this election as an opportunity to project popular legitimacy and extend his rule further. The election, scheduled to take place from Sunday to Tuesday in Egypt, will feature four candidates, including Sisi and three relatively unknown figures.

The three lesser-known candidates on the ballot are Farid Zahran, the head of the left-leaning Egyptian Social Democratic Party; Abdel-Sanad Yamama, the head of the nationalist Wafd Party; and Hazem Omar, the leader of the Republican People's Party. All three parties were part of the pro-Sisi bloc during the last parliamentary elections, indicating a lack of significant opposition to the incumbent president.

Zahran, the most vocal critic of the government among the candidates, has campaigned on ending media censorship. However, he is perceived as a relatively moderate opposition figure who does not challenge the authorities' red lines. Despite divisions within opposition parties about participating in an election deemed a charade by many, Zahran's campaign, according to journalist and Sisi critic Khaled Dawoud, aims to work towards building a better future beyond this election.

In the months leading up to the campaign season, security forces arrested supporters and relatives of Ahmed Tantawy, seen as Sisi's only credible opponent. Tantawy, a vocal critic of the government, gained popularity among young Egyptians. However, Tantawy's supporters were allegedly obstructed from submitting their endorsements, and his campaign faced intimidation and assault from alleged "paid thugs". This has raised concerns over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

Sisi formally announced his intention to run for re-election in early October after accumulating over 1.1 million endorsements. However, allegations of obstruction and intimidation have marred the nomination process, with rights groups and witnesses reporting biased actions in favor of Sisi. Tantawy, due to a lack of necessary endorsements, announced the end of his campaign, resulting in a relatively muted campaign season.

The focus of this election has shifted significantly towards Egypt's faltering economy, which poses Sisi's most significant challenge. Egypt, with a population of 105 million people, is burdened by foreign debt and facing a severe shortage of hard currency. Inflation has soared above 35 percent, further exacerbating economic pain, especially for food prices. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delayed two reviews of a $3 billion loan program due to Egypt's failure to implement necessary reforms.

Bloomberg Economics recently ranked Egypt as the second-most likely country in the world to default on its debt payments, closely following Ukraine. These economic challenges have cast a shadow over the election, overshadowing the limited presence of other candidates and reinforcing the stronghold of President Sisi in a country desperate for economic stability.

Egyptians living abroad have already cast their votes during a three-day period earlier this month. From Sunday to Tuesday night, Egyptians within the country will have the opportunity to vote at one of the nearly 10,000 polling stations. Election monitors from the African Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa will be present to observe the proceedings.

In previous elections, Sisi's supporters enticed voters with cash, food, and other incentives, resulting in overwhelming support for the president, who received 97 percent of the vote on both occasions.

As Egyptians head to the polls, the looming economic crisis, political controversies, and limited opposition participation characterize this crucial election, which will shape the country's political landscape and determine the course of Egypt's future.