The SIS monitored the content disseminated by hundreds of international media outlets in more than 10 languages, the head of the SIS, Diaa Rashwan, said.

The service authorized 528 journalists from 33 countries representing 110 media entities to cover the elections.

The SIS, Rashwan noted, received no complaints from foreign media correspondents who covered the election and observed polling stations nationwide, whether individually or as part of groups authorized by the SIS.

Foreign coverage also made no negative observations other than “the general state of the economic climate and the difficulties faced by Egyptians,” he added.

Moreover, numerous reports drew a connection between the elections and events in Gaza, suggesting that heightened tension on the Egyptian borders positively influenced the turnout in the poll and the prospects of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi winning a new term, according to Rashwan.

Rashwan added that foreign correspondents and observers reported no voting irregularities or other violations of election integrity.

Presidential elections in Egypt commenced on 10 December and will conclude on 12 December. 

The election authority will announce the final results on 18 December if no run-off is required.

Candidates running for the 2024 presidential race include incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who is running for a third term in office and whose electoral symbol is a star; and Farid Zahran, the leftist opposition Social Democratic Party candidate with the sun as his electoral symbol.

Other contenders are Abdel-Sanad Yamama, representing the Wafd party with the palm tree as his electoral symbol; and Hazem Omar, the candidate from the People's Republican Party with the ladder as his symbol.