The Egyptian presidential elections commission said on Sunday election campaigns will start from Aug.17 to Sept. 4, 72 hours before the election day, the official MENA news agency reported.

The commission also said if no candidate wins at least 50 percent of valid votes on Sept. 7, voters will have to choose between top two candidates in the second round of voting on Sept.17.

If a run-off is necessary, campaigns will start on the next day of announcing the results and till 12:00 AM (09:00 GMT) on Sep. 16, announced Osama Ataweya, spokesman for the commission. Any electoral activities should be undertaken within the framework of rules and regulations specified by the presidential elections law, according to the official.

It was reported that at least 11 candidates will be competing for the presidency in Egypt's first multi-candidate presidential elections in September. But the committee said it will release the list of formal candidates on Aug. 12.

President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country since 1981, announced last month his candidacy for a fifth six-year term representing the ruling National Democratic Party. Other key candidates include Noaman Gomaa, head of the opposition Wafd Liberal Party, and Ayman Nour, chief of the opposition Al Ghad party.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2005)