The September 5 by-elections in 15 constituencies were held peacefully, barring some untoward incidents in Luxm-ipur, Mirersarai and Chan-clanlsh, according to the by-poll monitoring report of Coordination Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB).

. CCHRB released its primary report on the by-elections yesterday at a press conference in the city. The complete report will be published soon in book form, they said.

Addressing the press conference. held at the Jatiyo Press Club, the CCHRB poll observers said that it was a unique example of election held neutrally and peacefully under a party government.

In Chittagong-1 constituency. some Irregularities were observed both by the AL and BNP activists. About 60 per cent of the voters were brought to the centres by rickshaws or baby taxis. The drivers were paid Tk 150 to 200 for the day. the report said.

Some false voters were identified and arrested and a few cases were detected In each centre where the votes of the bona fide voters were cast before they had arrived at the centres. Tum-out of voters was small and some women voters were threatened, the report said.

In Chittagong 13. the BNP activists were seen stopping the minorities on their way to vote. Hired rickshaws were used by all parties. In Shariatpur-1. some voters were transported by rickshaws and boats, the CCHRB observers said.

In Laxmipur-2. crackers, cocktails and bombs were exploded outside several centres.

In Bogra-6, election was held peacefully, but in some centres, a few people cast their votes without having their names on the voters list. In nine centres, voters were carried to the polling centres by hired rickshaws and vans by all parties.

Some 2512 observers of the. CCHRB monitored the by-polls in all 15 constituencies. The press conference was attended, among others, by CCHRB presi dent Father R W Tim. general secretary Akram Hossain Chowdhury. Joint secretary AHM Noman and treasurer M A Naim.