UNESCO have denied last minute allegations of fraud before the final round of voting which sees Bulgaria's Irina Bokova with a chance of becoming UNESCO Director General.

A UNESCO delegate earlier reported that at least one person was ejected from the agency's building by UNESCO security staff for trying to bribe delegates on Monday.

The official said several UNESCO member states had complained to the director general about the bribery attempts, the Washington Post reported.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the eviction had been reported by senior members of UNESCO's administration.

Elizabeth Longworth, executive director of the office of UNESCO's director-general, refused to discuss the issue on the telephone, saying she was too busy.

A UNESCO spokeswoman denied there was hard evidence of bribery. "There have been rumors to that effect," but no formal complaint has surfaced, said spokeswoman Sue Williams.

Bokova is set to face off with controversial Egyptian candidate Faruq Hosni later on Tuesday in a final round of voting.

In a secret fourth ballot held late Monday Bokova is reported to have received exactly the same number of votes as Hosni. The vote has been clouded by Hosni making alleged anti-Jewish comments.

The fifth and final vote is Tuesday. If the candidates are still tied then, the winner will be picked in a draw, UNESCO said.

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