Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean said Sunday he was grazed by a bullet in the hand on the eve of his country's historic presidential run-off election but did not see it as a political attack.

 

"We got a graze by a bullet. We don't blame it on anyone, a lot of people (were) saying, 'Do I blame it on the opposition' or whatever? No," said Wyclef as he went to cast his ballot in Sunday's poll.

 

An associate told AFP earlier the pop star was shot while in his car late Saturday. "Someone fired on him," Jean aide Gary Andre said.

Meanwhile fellow musician Pras Michel, who with Jean was part of popular Fugees hip hip group, wrote in a Twitter message that the rapper was in the hospital but doing well after being wounded in the hand.

 

"Yes they shot Wyclef and he's in the hospital and he'll be fine. They just shot his hand," Michel wrote.

 

A second tweet sent by Jean's entourage on his Twitter account reported the singer was doing well.

 

"We have spoken to Wyclef, he is ok. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers - Management," the message said.

 

Police contacted here by AFP said they were conducting an investigation, but as yet did not have any suspects in the alleged shooting.

 

Jean, 41, a Haitian-American who rose to fame as a member of the Fugees had his own bid for the presidency scuttled, but he has been a strong backer of another singer, Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly.

 

After being barred from running for the presidency for failing to meet the residency requirements, Jean has downplayed his political ambitions, but has said he would like to contribute to the rebuilding efforts by helping to organize the country's many non-governmental organizations and investing in its future.

 

Martelly is facing off against former first lady Mirlande Manigat in a bid to replace President Rene Preval, in the final round of an election marred by violence and allegations of fraud.

 

The winner faces the challenge of rebuilding the Western Hemisphere's poorest country following a January 2010 earthquake that flattened the capital, killing more than 220,000 people.

 

Manigat, 70, was the top vote-getter in a corruption-plagued first round in which only 20 percent of the 4.7 million eligible Haitians cast ballots.

 

Martelly, who holds a slight lead over Manigat in the polls has been endorsed by five former presidential candidates and enjoys broad support among Haiti's many young voters.