Egypt opposition figures call for boycott of Sisi presidential election

Five leading Egyptian opposition figures issued a statement Sunday calling for the boycott of upcoming presidential elections, arguing that the vote had already "lost all credibility".

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has been accused of suppressing potential challengers in the March vote, when he is almost guaranteed to be "elected" leader for a second term.

The signatories of Sunday's statement include scientist and former presidential adviser Issam Heggy, 2012 presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, as well as former challenger for this year's election Mohammed Anwar Sadat.

Also putting their names down were Lt. Gen. Sami Anan campaign aides, Hazem Hosny and Hisham Genena.

Sadat pulled out of the presidential race fearing the safety of his supporters.

Anan - one of the strongest challengers to Sisi - was arrested after generals accused him of abusing his military position.

His aide - anti-corruption campaigner Hisham Geneina - was stabbed and beaten Saturday outside his Cairo home.

Supporters have called the attack "politically motivated" and believe there was an attempt to kidnap him.

Egypt police denied the claim and alleged it was due to a traffic dispute.

Under such conditions, the Egyptian opposition figures - some of them, former supporters of Sisi - said they will not recognise the outcome of the presidential elections.

The Wafd Party withdrew their candidate Sunday and threw their support behind the president in the race.

It leaves Sisi as the sole candidate in the presidential election.

Agencies contributed to this story.