CAIRO — The National Electoral Commission (NEC) in Egypt officially announced Jan. 8 the dates for the presidential elections, which look like a replay of the 2014 elections, with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the forefront. The voting will begin in March, and the winning candidate will be announced in early May.

According to the Egyptian Constitution, preparations for the presidential elections begin four months before the current presidential term ends. The results are announced at least a month before the end of the term. Sisi began his current term in early June 2014 and it will end May 31.

The elections will take place amid the state of emergency imposed as per a presidential decree Jan. 3 — under the supervision of the electoral commission. The elections will be the commission's first since its formation in October.

Electoral commission Chairman Lasheen Ibrahim said in a press conference Jan. 8 that the electoral timeline for candidacy requests to be submitted will last 10 days, starting Jan. 20. The electoral campaign begins Feb. 24 and ends March 23.