SHARQIYA, Oct. 30 (Aswat Masriya)- Three policemen were injured on Friday in clashes between police forces and supporters of  the banned Muslim Brotherhood group in the province of Sharqiya.

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, opposed to the military removal of former President Mohamed Mursi, called Thursday for protests starting Friday and throughout the week to boycott the ongoing parliamentary elections.

"Tens of Muslim Brotherhood supporters organized marches in Sharqiya chanting slogans against security forces and state institutions and calling on people to boycott the elections," said Abdel Latif al-Henawi head of investigation’s directorate in Sharqiya.

He added that protesters “fired birdshot and ignited fireworks” which prompted residents to call the police.

He said that a number of “rioters” were arrested without providing an exact number.

Sharqiya is the hometown of former President Mursi.

Calls for boycotting Egypt’s parliamentary elections prevailed on social media even before the first phase, the run-offs of which ended on Wednesday. International and local media outlets noted the low turnout rate and the general voter apathy, especially among youth.

According to the Supreme Elections Commission (SEC) the turnout of the first round of phase one was 26.56 percent out of a total of 27.4 million eligible voters. The first phase covered 14 provinces including Cairo’s twin city Giza.

The second phase of the elections will cover 13 provinces including Sharqiya and Cairo. It will take place from November 21-23 inside Egypt and abroad.