Egypt will hold a presidential election in March, with the incumbent Abdel Fattah el-Sisi widely expected to seek a second term in office. The Egyptian Presidential Election's schedule was announced Monday. In a press conference in Cairo, the National Elections Authority declared the requirements needed from Presidential Candidates, and has set the vote for March 26th. CGTN's Adel EL Mahrouky has more.

It has begun. The third Presidential elections post former President Hosni Mubarak's stepdown in 2011 and the second since Islamist President Morsi was ousted in 2013.

On Monday the newly established Egyptian National Elections Authority has announced the guidelines and schedule of the 2018 Presidential race.

LASHIN IBRAHIM PRESIDENT, EGYPT NATIONAL ELECTIONS AUTHORITY "I announce the beginning of the fourth multi candidates Presidential elections in Egypt. It's the most important appearance of democracy. We call anyone who sees himself fit to run. The door for candidates to apply will open on January 20 and closes on January 29."

The national vote for Egypt's new President will be from March 26 until the 28th. And the results of the first phase will be announced on April 2. If no candidate gets 50%+1 of the votes, the runoffs will be held by Mid April.

LASHIN IBRAHIM PRESIDENT, EGYPT NATIONAL ELECTIONS AUTHORITY "I call upon all my fellow Egyptians to vote. This is a national duty and rest assured if you go to the ballot boxes your voice will be heard. We are taking all measures to guarantee an honest and transparent voting procedures. The whole election will be supervised by the judiciary, there will be a judge for every ballot box to monitor it."

To become a candidate, an Egyptian 40 years of older must get 25,000 signatures of support from 15 different governorates. And they have just three weeks to collect them. The alternative is to get indorsed by 20 members of parliament. Egyptian Presidential Candidates will have only one month to Campaign from February 24 till March 23.

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO On Sunday the strongest possible candidate, former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik has quit his elections bid. Egypt's Presidential race has begun without a prominent figure in the picture yet. So once President el Sisi declares his candidacy, probably nothing significant will stand in his way for a second term. AMA CGTN CA.