CAIRO (AFP) - Egypt's electoral commission extended on Tuesday a presidential vote for a third day, amid reports of a low turnout in the first poll after the overthrow of the Islamist leader, state media said.

Former chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who ousted president Mohamed Morsi last year, is the clear frontrunner in the election, which was originally scheduled to be held on just Monday and Tuesday.

Sisi's backers had hoped for a large turnout for a decisive show of support.

The decision to extend the voting into Wednesday was made to "give a chance to the largest possible number of voters to cast their ballots," said a member of the electoral commission quoted by state news agency MENA.