By IRNA
Amman : Municipal elections are taking place in Egypt against a backdrop of violent popular unrest and calls for a boycott by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood.
Some 52,000 local councillors are being selected – but the ruling National Democratic Party is standing unopposed in the great majority of seats.
Only 20 candidates affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood are being allowed to stand after thousands were rejected.
A youth, 15, was shot dead during protests in Mahalla al-Kubra on Monday.
The northern industrial city was reported to be calm on Tuesday, though protest organisers warned people could come back onto the streets later in the day.
Ahmed Ali Mabrouk Hamada was found to be dead on arrival at hospital.
He was shot by police during a demonstration over the high cost of living, officials said.
Soaring food prices and low wages have strengthened popular discontent with the government, and dozens of arrests have also been reported outside of Mahalla al-Kubra.