Egyptian presidential candidate Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi used video conference to communicate with residents of the Upper Egyptian city of Assuit, an unprecedented move from a candidate who claims he has survived two assassination attempts.

El-Sisi, who resigned from his post as army chief to run for Egypt's presidency, has been accused by political opponents of orchestrating a coup last summer against the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi, who was removed from office by the military in July after mass protests against his rule.

In his video conference shown in Assiut's Bani Mar village, El-Sisi urged residents to go vote in Egypt's upcoming presidential elections on 26-27 May.

In his first ever TV interview last Sunday, El-Sisi said that he has faced two attempts on his life. However, he insisted he would be amongst people in the streets if elected president.

He said in Assuit's video conference that Upper Egyptians have been historically overlooked in terms of development, but that he could promise real developmental projects in the area in the future.

El-Sisi's sole competitor in the presidential race is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, who finished third in Egypt's 2012 presidential polls.

Egyptian expats will cast their ballots at Egyptian embassies worldwide from 15-18 May, without prior registration.