Egypt says death not related to election

23 May 2012, 10:28 pm   -   Source: AAP

Egypt's interior ministry has refuted reports that a policeman's death is linked to the elections, stating "this was a regular fight".

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The Egypt interior ministry says the death of a policeman in Cairo reported earlier was not related to the presidential election in the country and occurred the previous night.

"Police officers were on a routine patrol in Rod al-Farag when they heard gunshots and went to inspect. One policeman was caught in a gunfight and was shot dead," a senior official told AFP on Wednesday.

The incident, which took place on Tuesday night, "was not related to the election, this was a regular fight," he said.

Earlier, security officials said the policeman was shot dead in a gunfight between supporters of two presidential candidates outside a polling station in Rod al-Farag, and another was injured in the same fight.

More than 50 million eligible voters have been called to choose one of 12 candidates wrestling to succeed former president Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted last year in a popular uprising.

Voting over two days is taking place at 13,000 polling stations, with initial results expected on Sunday. Voting ends at 8pm (0400 AEST) on both days.

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