President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said in an interview on Tuesday he had wanted more contenders in next week's presidential election to give voters greater choice, but the country was "not ready".
Mr El Sisi, who is expected to win the March 26 to 28 vote by a huge margin, said he should not be blamed for the lack of candidates.
All the former opposition candidates except one have dropped out of the election race, citing intimidation, while the sole remaining challenger has said he supports the president.
"You are blaming me for something that I have nothing to do with," Mr El Sisi said in the interview broadcast across Egyptian media.
"I swear to God, I wished one, two, three or even 10 distinguished people (ran) and you choose," he said.
"We are not ready, isn't it a shame... we have more than 100 parties, nominate someone."
Two prominent former military men made surprise announcements late last year and in January, that they would run against Mr El Sisi, with indications from the street that their bids might be popular.
