Presidential hopeful Hazem Salah Abu-Ismail is expected to submit his candidacy-registration papers to the Higher Presidential Election Commission (HPEC) on Friday after fulfilling all the conditions to run in Egypt’s first post-Mubarak presidential poll.

To be nominated, candidates must enjoy the support of 30 elected MPs; collect the signatures of 30,000 Egyptian citizens from at least 15 Egyptian governorates in support of their candidacy; or secure the backing of a political party that holds at least one seat in parliament.

According to his campaign managers, Abu-Ismail has so far amassed some 150,000 signatures and the support of 58 sitting MPs.

On Friday, to mark the prominent Salafist preacher’s official entry into the presidential race, Abu-Ismail’s supporters are planning to form a kilometres-long human chain from the Asad Ibn Al-Furat Mosque in Cairo’s Dokki district to HPEC headquarters in the Misr Al-Gadida district.

In a press release, Abu-Ismail’s presidential campaign said the Islamist candidate would also lead a car parade following Friday prayers from the Asad Ibn Al-Furat Mosque, where he periodically delivers sermons, to HPEC headquarters.

According to campaign organisers, the parade will pass by Cairo’s Sheraton Hotel, Al-Galaa Square, Al-Galaa Bridge, the 6 October Bridge, the Isaaf district, Ramses Square, the Gamra district, Abbasiya Square and Salah Salem Boulevard en route to its final destination in Misr Al-Gadida.