Friday, November 18 2005 11:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Tamil Tiger rebels forced Tamil civilians to stay away from Sri Lanka's presidential elections by resorting to bomb attacks, burning tyres and blocking transport, private poll monitors said.

The election was marred by the killing of three people in bomb and grenade explosions in the troubled east in which 17 people were also injured.

The rebels set fire to tyres and blocked roads in at least two places in the multi-ethnic east, security officials said.

The private People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) alleged that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had forced people to keep away from the vote.

"There were seven bomb attacks in polling stations, two suspected bombers died while assembling a bomb, tyres were burnt on the road and buses were prevented from leaving LTTE-controlled areas.

"Given the non participation of a significant number of Tamil voters at these elections due to the boycott call and intimidation, PAFFREL is deeply concerned about the effective disenfranchisement of these voters."

However, PAFFREL said the vote elsewhere in the island was free and fair and devoid of the violence usually associated with Sri Lankan polls. However, an almost total absence of participation in the polls and an atmosphere of violence and intimidation in much of the North and East have significantly affected these elections, PAFFREL said.

"It has compromised the democratic process and institutions," PAFFREL said.