A voter's guide to Egypt's 2014 presidential elections: Sabahi, El-Sisi or boycott?

Read on here. This is an objective piece that focuses on the pros and cons of the choices available to Egyptians.

As Egypt prepares to vote in its first presidential elections since the ouster of Mohamed Morsi last July, Ahram Online highlights the main pros and cons of each candidate, as argued by the public

Citizens campaign for rival candidates Hamdeen Sabahi and Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (Photo: AP and Mai Shaheen)

The clock is ticking to Egypt’s first post-30 June 2013 presidential elections in an atmosphere that many would argue is different from that of the 2012 poll — the first after the January 25 Revolution — that brought Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi to power.

This year’s election sees only two candidates running against each other, giving the public less variety to choose from, but more surety of the result. In comparison to the 2012 election where 13 candidates represented a spectrum of political ideologies, this year Egyptians are choosing between former army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, seen as the country's current most popular figure, since he announced the ouster of Morsi last summer, and his only rival, long-time activist and member of the pro-democracy movement in Egypt that paved the way for the January 25 Revolution, Hamdeen Sabahi.

The presidential poll is due to take place 26-27 May with a new president expected to be named early June.

While many, both supporters and critics, deem the outcome already decided in favour of El-Sisi, others beg to differ, saying there is always room for a surprise.

In this guide, Ahram Online attempts to collate the different arguments made by people in the streets of Egypt on "To vote or not to vote" and "Vote for who, why, and why not the rival." The views expressed should not be taken as a reflection of the views of Ahram Online.

Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi

Field Marshal El-Sisi (formerly general, until early this year) was appointed minister of defence two years ago by the same man whose ouster he announced — Mohamed Morsi — as part of a political roadmap worked out with the opposition. In March, 59-year-old El-Sisi ended speculation around his candidacy by announcing that he had decided to bid farewell to military life and "answer the calls of the people" to run in the presidential elections.

Why people say you should vote for El-Sisi

- For decades the military institution in Egypt has proven to be the most cohesive and strongest institution in Egypt. This argument leaves many believing that El-Sisi, who served over 45 years in the armed forces, will have the army to back him whenever needed. In interview, the presidential hopeful has affirmed that the army will continue to help in "economic developmental projects."

- For those who accuse the Muslim Brotherhood of embracing a sectarian discourse following their rise to power, and Morsi of drastically failing in running the country, El-Sisi is the "national hero" who saved Egypt from the Islamists' power grab by announcing the ouster of the Islamist leader Morsi last summer. He further promised to get rid of the Islamist group for good, stressing that there is no room for reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood.

- Supporters of El-Sisi see him as a figure of "national independence" who regained Egypt’s dignity, particularly by not giving into US pressure, which has been highly critical of Morsi’s ouster and the crackdown on his loyalists that followed, withholding a large chunk of its annual $1.3 billion military aid to Egypt to express its displeasure at the crackdown on Morsi supporters.

- For the above reasons, El-Sisi is often compared to Egypt’s late president Gamal Abdel Nasser, the architect behind the 1952 coup d’etat / revolution that overthrew the monarchy. Nasser, who remains a symbol for dignity, pan-Arabism and social justice, also launched a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood and executed six of its leading members for plotting to assassinate him.

- In addition to having the army on his side, supporters say El-Sisi is real "statesman" who is well informed on everything concerning Egypt. All state apparatuses will cooperate with him if he rules, enhancing his capacity to bring stability to the country.

- El-Sisi is an observant, moderate Muslim who is vocal in his support for the right of Copts to equal citizenship. Due to his perceived role in Morsi’s ouster, many Christians in Egypt feel grateful to him for saving them from the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, under which there were frequent sectarian assaults, including the first attack ever on the main Coptic Cathedral in Egypt.

- Being on good terms with oil-rich countries will bring in more aid and investment from Gulf States that applauded Morsi’s ouster, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. El-Sisi strongly thanked Gulf countries for the billions they poured into the country to boost the economy following last summer’s political turmoil.

- El-Sisi is pragmatic, supporters say, when he speaks about what he has to offer to Egyptians. He makes realistic promises by acknowledging the country’s limitations. Unlike Morsi, who vowed that people would see drastic changes in his first 100 days in office, El-Sisi says he needs two years to make an impact.

- Some see El-Sisi’s lack of political affiliation as a plus. His only loyalty is to Egypt, supporters argue. The ex-minister of defence has never spoke of embracing certain political ideologies.