Cameroon held parliamentary polls yesterday but turnout was low and the opposition denounced what it called widespread fraud, including polling stations in private homes and a lack of opposition ballot papers.

The polls are expected to strengthen President Paul Biya's 25-year grip on power in the central African country, but the opposition has already said the vote is rigged, international observers are boycotting it and few voters have registered.

"The campaign took place in a calm, serene and peaceful atmosphere. I hope things will continue in this manner throughout the electoral process and people will accept the verdict of the polls," Biya said after voting in Yaounde.

"I want Cameroonians to be fully aware that we are in a democratic process that will be long lasting. What I expect right now is a comfortable majority which will enable me to continue to build and modernise the country."

A Reuters correspondent saw voting taking place in the private Yaounde home of a local chief, in contravention of electoral laws, while some opposition supporters said they had been refused ballot papers.

Ink marking the fingers of those who had already voted - which was supposed to be indelible - was easily washed off, meaning people could vote several times, the opposition said. "These are all indications that the election is being rigged already," said John Fru Ndi, chairman of the main opposition SDF party.

He said he had reports from other parts of the country that opposition polling officers had been chased from polling stations and that SDF ballot papers were missing in some booths. Officials from Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement were not immediately available for comment while election officials said the low turnout was because it was Sunday.