Two Egyptians were killed and several others injured on Wednesday in violence that broke out during the run-offs in the third and final phase of the parliamentary elections, the official MENA news agency reported.

"Two people were killed and several others, including two policemen, injured in acts of rioting during Wednesday's parliamentary run-off in Fakous town in Sharqiya governorate," an official security source was quoted as saying.

Sharqiya, which lies some 65 km north of Cairo, is one of the nine governorates involved in the third phase of the month-long legislative polls.

Police arrested at least two supporters of the banned but usually tolerated Muslim Brotherhood and was pursuing a third man suspected of involvement in the violence, according to MENA.

The arrested were found to be in possession of papers promoting Muslim Brotherhood ideology, handguns, rifles and ammunition, said the source.

Security forces would continue face up to any attempt aimed at intimidating voters and would beef up security measures around certain constituencies, the source added.

The source dismissed reports by some satellite TV channels which claimed that security forces were meddling in the electoral process.

MENA earlier quoted Assistant Interior Minister Major General Ibrahim Hammad as saying that the security situation during the election process was stable.

"Security forces are thwarting all acts of rioting and thuggery at some balloting stations. The situation is stable and reassuring, " said Hammad.

The security forces have foiled 10 attempts of organized violence intended to disrupt the electoral process, and security officials have discovered over 15 weapons caches, Hammad said.

Egyptian voters returned to the polling stations early Wednesday for the run-offs in the final phase of parliamentary elections as the month-long polls drew to an end.

Some 254 candidates, including 201 from the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and 35 from the banned but usually tolerated Muslim Brotherhood, will compete for the 127 seats up for grab in 67 constituencies in nine governorates.

Source: Xinhua