Dozens of people were injured as rivaling parties clashed in the central port city of Beira Saturday in the last stage of campaigning for the municipal elections set on Nov. 20, state media reported Sunday.

At least 26 people were treated in Beira hospital for either inhaling tear gas or being hit by stones, state news agency AIM said. Hospital spokesperson Orlando Jamal could not confirm claims that three people had died in the clashes.

Riot police opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas against a large Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) rally in the Beira neighborhood of Munhava, prompting angry MDM supporters to attack the nearby offices of the ruling Frelimo party, injuring several people including the Frelimo candidate for mayor of Beira Jaime Neto.

The report quoted witnesses as saying that the police tried to clear a path through the MDM crowd for a Frelimo parade. But both parties denied sparking the violence that ensued.

According to one of AIM's sources, five vehicles were destroyed. Two belonged to MDM supporters, but the other three were attacked by the MDM crowd because they bore Frelimo posters.

Mozambique is heading to nationwide local elections on Nov. 20, but political tensions among the country's political parties -- especially between the former rebel movement Renamo and ruling Frelimo party -- posed serious concerns over a peaceful electoral process.