Bangkok, April 23:

Thailand held by-elections today amid tight security, but the polls threatened to leave unresolved the constitutional crisis that forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step aside.

The new balloting in 40 districts took place mainly in southern Thailand, a bastion of the opposition which boycotted the general election on April 2. Despite increased security across Thailand’s southernmost provinces, two people were killed and at least three injured in attacks by suspected militants.

Today’s by-elections could determine when, or if, parliament will convene. Thai law requires all 500 seats to be filled for parliament to meet, but an election official projected that about 10 seats would remain empty even after the balloting.

Official results are not expected until tomorrow. Election officials projected turnout at about 60 per cent.

“If not many districts are left with empty seats, the commission might decide not to have another by-election” before parliament is scheduled to open on May 1, election commission spokesman Ekachai Warunprapa said.