<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jatiya-oikya-front-lost-due-to-criminal-activities-sheikh-hasina-187627">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> has said that she will be the "premier of all" Bangladeshis and her government's first priority would be to continue the economic reforms.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-lawmakers-to-be-sworn-in-on-january-3-187728">Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League</a> and its allies won a landslide victory in the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls.

Hasina said she would discharge her responsibility as the "premier of all" during her upcoming five-year tenure, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

She said the priority of the new government will be to complete the programmes that have already been undertaken.

"We have okayed different projects, we have to work on them. Now, the most important thing is to ensure the safety and security of our people," she said.

Hasina said the first priority would be to continue the economic activities so that people may have a better life.

She said her party does not believe in the politics of revenge.

"Rather, Awami League works for the development of people considering them as human being once it gets elected," she said.

Hasina also brushed aside the Opposition's allegation of vote rigging, saying "if there had been any allegation, the Election Commission would have cancelled voting in the centre immediately".

She said one or two incidents of irregularities out of the total 40,000 voting centres did not make the whole election unfair.

"They [people] wanted continuity of the government, development for which they overwhelmingly voted for us," she said.

At least 18 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed and more than 200 others injured in poll-related violence, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won a landslide victory in the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she will be the "premier of all" Bangladeshis and her government's first priority would be to continue the economic reforms. Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League and its allies won a landslide victory in the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. Hasina said she would discharge her responsibility as the "premier of all" during her upcoming five-year tenure, the Dhaka Tribune reported. She said the priority of the new government will be to complete the programmes that have already been undertaken. "We have okayed different projects, we have to work on them. Now, the most important thing is to ensure the safety and security of our people," she said. Hasina said the first priority would be to continue the economic activities so that people may have a better life. She said her party does not believe in the politics of revenge. "Rather, Awami League works for the development of people considering them as human being once it gets elected," she said. Hasina also brushed aside the Opposition's allegation of vote rigging, saying "if there had been any allegation, the Election Commission would have cancelled voting in the centre immediately". She said one or two incidents of irregularities out of the total 40,000 voting centres did not make the whole election unfair. "They [people] wanted continuity of the government, development for which they overwhelmingly voted for us," she said. At least 18 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed and more than 200 others injured in poll-related violence, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country.

I will be everyone's premier, first priority to continue economic reforms: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

The UN has called on all sides in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/journalist-arrested-in-bangladesh-for-false-reporting-on-voting-irregularities-187870">Bangladesh</a> to "exercise restraint" and "ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment," where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression.

The UN's remark comes days after Bangladesh's ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the general elections, an outcome rejected by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded fresh polls.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/western-powers-call-for-probe-into-bangladesh-election-irregularities-violence-187810">The election was marred </a>by violence, in which 17 people were killed.

"The United Nations is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in the Bangladesh general elections. We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election day," the UN Spokesperson's office said in a statement Monday.

The UN said that violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable.

"We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the UN urged, adding that "violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable," the statement said.

The world body also welcomed the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls.&nbsp;

The BNP of the jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia won five seats in the 300-member Parliament. The party rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded a fresh election.&nbsp;

The Election Commission, however, ruled out holding fresh polls.&nbsp;

The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the Election Commission and accused its chief of being biased.

The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people were killed.

The UN has called on all sides in Bangladesh to "exercise restraint" and "ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment," where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression. The UN's remark comes days after Bangladesh's ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the general elections, an outcome rejected by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded fresh polls. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people were killed. "The United Nations is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in the Bangladesh general elections. We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election day," the UN Spokesperson's office said in a statement Monday. The UN said that violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable. "We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the UN urged, adding that "violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable," the statement said. The world body also welcomed the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The BNP of the jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia won five seats in the 300-member Parliament. The party rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded a fresh election. The Election Commission, however, ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the Election Commission and accused its chief of being biased.

UN asks Bangladesh political parties to ensure peaceful post-electoral environment

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj congratulated her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali for his recent win in the 11th Parliamentary elections held on Sunday.

The EAM reiterated that India would continue cooperation with Bangladesh as a close neighbour while extending her wishes to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister.

"Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali thanked Indian External Affairs Minister for the call. He expressed the hope that both the countries would continue to work together for the benefit of the two peoples," a release issued by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-ties-will-continue-to-flourish-under-her-leadership-pm-modi-congratulates-sheikh-hasina-on-parliamentary-win-187474">Sunday's elections</a> saw the Awami League-led Grand Alliance securing a landslide victory by winning 288 seats. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) helmed front, on the other hand, suffered a major setback as it only secured seven seats.

The new lawmakers are slated to be sworn in on January 3 in Dhaka. However, Members of Parliament (MPs) from BNP will not be taking an oath tomorrow, as the party has rejected election results and has called for fresh elections.

Sunday's elections saw the Awami League-led Grand Alliance securing a landslide victory by winning 288 seats.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj congratulated her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali for his recent win in the 11th Parliamentary elections held on Sunday. The EAM reiterated that India would continue cooperation with Bangladesh as a close neighbour while extending her wishes to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister. "Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali thanked Indian External Affairs Minister for the call. He expressed the hope that both the countries would continue to work together for the benefit of the two peoples," a release issued by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. Sunday's elections saw the Awami League-led Grand Alliance securing a landslide victory by winning 288 seats. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) helmed front, on the other hand, suffered a major setback as it only secured seven seats. The new lawmakers are slated to be sworn in on January 3 in Dhaka. However, Members of Parliament (MPs) from BNP will not be taking an oath tomorrow, as the party has rejected election results and has called for fresh elections.

Sushma Swaraj congratulates Bangladesh foreign minister on election victory

A journalist working with a prominent media house in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-will-be-everyones-premier-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-187730"> Bangladesh</a> was arrested for allegedly publishing "false" information about voting irregularities in the just-concluded <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/western-powers-call-for-probe-into-bangladesh-election-irregularities-violence-187810">parliamentary elections</a>, according to a media report.

Hedait Hossain Molla, associated with Bangla Tribune and Probaho, reported that in Khulna 1 constituency, 22,419 more ballots were cast than the number of registered voters, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the police as saying.

He was arrested on Tuesday in Khulna under the Digital Security Act following an FIR by Khulna's Assistant Returning Officer Debashish Chowdhury, senior police officer Mahbubur Rahman said.

The FIR also named Rashedul Islam, another journalist associated with local daily Manabzamin. He was yet to be arrested.&nbsp;

"Initial investigations suggest that they were based on false information," Inspector Sarkar Ibrahim Sohel, who is in charge of the investigation, said.

He said that the Election Commission was informed before the case was filed.&nbsp;

The arrest of the journalist comes two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls.&nbsp;

The jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won five seats in the 300-member Parliament, has rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded a fresh election.

The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people died. The opposition BNP rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and rigged and demanded a fresh election, amid allegations of intimidation.

The Election Commission (EC) ruled out holding fresh polls.&nbsp;

The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the EC and accused its chief of being biased.&nbsp;

Hedait Hossain Molla reported that in Khulna 1 constituency, 22,419 more ballots were cast than the number of registered voters, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the police as saying.

A journalist working with a prominent media house in Bangladesh was arrested for allegedly publishing "false" information about voting irregularities in the just-concluded parliamentary elections, according to a media report. Hedait Hossain Molla, associated with Bangla Tribune and Probaho, reported that in Khulna 1 constituency, 22,419 more ballots were cast than the number of registered voters, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the police as saying. He was arrested on Tuesday in Khulna under the Digital Security Act following an FIR by Khulna's Assistant Returning Officer Debashish Chowdhury, senior police officer Mahbubur Rahman said. The FIR also named Rashedul Islam, another journalist associated with local daily Manabzamin. He was yet to be arrested. "Initial investigations suggest that they were based on false information," Inspector Sarkar Ibrahim Sohel, who is in charge of the investigation, said. He said that the Election Commission was informed before the case was filed. The arrest of the journalist comes two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won five seats in the 300-member Parliament, has rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded a fresh election. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people died. The opposition BNP rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and rigged and demanded a fresh election, amid allegations of intimidation. The Election Commission (EC) ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the EC and accused its chief of being biased.

Journalist arrested in Bangladesh for 'false' reporting on voting irregularities

The United Nations (UN) called for restraint in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jatiya-oikya-front-lost-due-to-criminal-activities-sheikh-hasina-187627">Bangladesh after the elections</a> stirred violence and claimed 19 lives and injured around 200 people.

"The UN is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in Bangladesh`s election...Violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable" the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said on Monday (local time).

"We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/voting-held-in-peaceful-manner-says-sheikh-hasina-supporting-ec-rejecting-vote-rigging-complaints-187553"> on election day</a>," an official statement underscored.

The Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, further said, "We welcome the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression."

"We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the statement concluded.

At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

The United Nations (UN) called for restraint in Bangladesh after the elections stirred violence and claimed 19 lives and injured around 200 people. "The UN is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in Bangladesh`s election...Violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable" the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said on Monday (local time). "We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election day," an official statement underscored. The Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, further said, "We welcome the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression." "We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the statement concluded. At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

Bangladesh: UN condemns deaths, calls for calm after violence-marred polls

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party registered a landslide victory in Sunday's controversial general election. Bangladesh's Election Commission confirmed a third successive term for Hasina on Monday announcing results&nbsp;on 298 seats; election was cancelled in one seat.&nbsp;

According to official EC figures, Hasina's Awami League-led alliance bagged a total of&nbsp;288 seats, registering a landslide win.&nbsp;Jatiya Oikya Front settled with&nbsp;7 seats, rest three went to others.&nbsp;Jatiya Oikya Front&nbsp;is a political alliance of primarily four parties led by opposition leader Kamal Hossain.

The Election Commission confirmed the complete result of the constituency in southwestern Gopalganj from where Hasina won bagging 2,29,539 votes, while her BNP opponent got only 123 votes.

Bangladesh went to polls on December 30 in a tense vote that saw at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence and demands of a fresh election by the Opposition.&nbsp;

Bangladesh's opposition NUF alliance, with BNP as its key partner, rejected the outcome of the general election and demanded fresh polls under a neutral caretaker government, news agency PTI reported.

"We reject the results and demand a new election under a neutral government," NUF convenor and veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who heads the Gono Forum party, told reporters.

"We ask that you cancel this election right away," Hossain urged the Election Commission, claiming, "we have reports that fraudulence took place in almost all centres".

The National Unity Front (NUF) is a coalition of parties, including BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel</a> including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the nation for the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote.

The voting started at 8 AM and ended at 4 PM.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/more-than-1800-candidates-in-fray-over-10-crore-to-vote-in-bangladeshs-11th-parliamentary-elections-on-sunday-187182">After 10 years</a>, 39 registered political parties participated in Bangladesh's general polls. Over 1,800 candidates contested in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies.&nbsp;As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths were set up.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party registered a landslide victory in Sunday's controversial general election. Bangladesh's Election Commission confirmed a third successive term for Hasina on Monday announcing results on 298 seats; election was cancelled in one seat.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party registered a landslide victory in Sunday's controversial general election. Bangladesh's Election Commission confirmed a third successive term for Hasina on Monday announcing results on 298 seats; election was cancelled in one seat. According to official EC figures, Hasina's Awami League-led alliance bagged a total of 288 seats, registering a landslide win. Jatiya Oikya Front settled with 7 seats, rest three went to others. Jatiya Oikya Front is a political alliance of primarily four parties led by opposition leader Kamal Hossain. The Election Commission confirmed the complete result of the constituency in southwestern Gopalganj from where Hasina won bagging 2,29,539 votes, while her BNP opponent got only 123 votes. Bangladesh went to polls on December 30 in a tense vote that saw at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence and demands of a fresh election by the Opposition. Bangladesh's opposition NUF alliance, with BNP as its key partner, rejected the outcome of the general election and demanded fresh polls under a neutral caretaker government, news agency PTI reported. "We reject the results and demand a new election under a neutral government," NUF convenor and veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who heads the Gono Forum party, told reporters. "We ask that you cancel this election right away," Hossain urged the Election Commission, claiming, "we have reports that fraudulence took place in almost all centres". The National Unity Front (NUF) is a coalition of parties, including BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League. Over 600,000 security personnel including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the nation for the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote. The voting started at 8 AM and ended at 4 PM. After 10 years, 39 registered political parties participated in Bangladesh's general polls. Over 1,800 candidates contested in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies. As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths were set up. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh PM Hasina's party registers landslide victory in parliamentary polls

India has welcomed the successful completion of the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Hasina. A Ministry of External Affairs release said PM Modi telephoned Hasina &amp; conveyed "his heartiest congratulations on the decisive results of the election."&nbsp;

PM expressed his "confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership" &amp; "reiterated the priority India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India’s Neighbourhood First policy."&nbsp;

PM Sheikh Hasina thanked India for their "consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh’s development, and appreciated PM’s reiteration of this commitment."&nbsp;

The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee also congratulated Hasina and tweeted in Bengali "Heartiest congratulations to Sheikh Hasina Ji on the victory in the Bangladesh General Election".

The election is expected to continue the momentum in India Bangla ties. There have been regular high-level visits and exchanges between the two countries in the past few years with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visiting India from April 7-10, 2017. The Indian Prime minister Modi had then broken the protocol to receive Hasina at the airport. Prior to this visit, PM Hasina had visited India on October 16-17, 2016 to participate in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a State visit to Bangladesh from June 6-7, 2015 during which New Delhi and Dhaka exchanged of the historic instrument of ratification for India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).

Indian Prime Minister Modi also met Bangladesh PM in 2018 for an informal summit in Kolkatta during which Bangladesh Bhawan was inaugurated at Visva Bharati.

In 2015, under the Hasina govt, Bangladeshi govt handed over Anup Chetia, the General Secretary of banned United Liberation Front of Assam to India. Indian govt has extended 3 Lines of Credits to Bangladesh in the last 7 years amounting to US$ 8 billion making Dhaka the largest recipient of LOC funds from India till date. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Chinese President has also congratulated Prime Minister Hasina with Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Zhang Zuo handing over the congratulatory message personally. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and PM Lotay Tshering have also sent congratulatory messages.&nbsp;

Pakistan was mum by the time this copy went to print. The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh haven't been good with Dhaka not accepting Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Shiek Hasina won a landslide victory with Awami league led alliance getting 288 seats out of 298 seats. Awami league itself got 259 seats. BNP — Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance got just 7 seats.

 
After the victory, Sheikh Hasina said the victory is nothing for her for personal gains, rather it is a great responsibility towards the country and its people".&nbsp;

Awami league and Opposition BNP have been hitting out at each other since the results have been announced. Kamal Hossain, of the National Unity front alliance, speaking to WION, called for the cancellation of &nbsp;"the elections and hold a fresh election under an acceptable administration" while Sheikh Hasina's advisor Gowher Rizvi said, "These are allegations. allegations unless verified, substantiated. They are baseless. Irrelevant. Let us stick to facts".

Many reports of BNP's link with Pakistani spy agency ISI came to fore ahead of the elections on December 30.

India has welcomed the successful completion of the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Hasina.

India has welcomed the successful completion of the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Hasina. A Ministry of External Affairs release said PM Modi telephoned Hasina & conveyed "his heartiest congratulations on the decisive results of the election." PM expressed his "confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership" & "reiterated the priority India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India’s Neighbourhood First policy." PM Sheikh Hasina thanked India for their "consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh’s development, and appreciated PM’s reiteration of this commitment." The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee also congratulated Hasina and tweeted in Bengali "Heartiest congratulations to Sheikh Hasina Ji on the victory in the Bangladesh General Election". The election is expected to continue the momentum in India Bangla ties. There have been regular high-level visits and exchanges between the two countries in the past few years with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visiting India from April 7-10, 2017. The Indian Prime minister Modi had then broken the protocol to receive Hasina at the airport. Prior to this visit, PM Hasina had visited India on October 16-17, 2016 to participate in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a State visit to Bangladesh from June 6-7, 2015 during which New Delhi and Dhaka exchanged of the historic instrument of ratification for India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). Indian Prime Minister Modi also met Bangladesh PM in 2018 for an informal summit in Kolkatta during which Bangladesh Bhawan was inaugurated at Visva Bharati. In 2015, under the Hasina govt, Bangladeshi govt handed over Anup Chetia, the General Secretary of banned United Liberation Front of Assam to India. Indian govt has extended 3 Lines of Credits to Bangladesh in the last 7 years amounting to US$ 8 billion making Dhaka the largest recipient of LOC funds from India till date. Chinese President has also congratulated Prime Minister Hasina with Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Zhang Zuo handing over the congratulatory message personally. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and PM Lotay Tshering have also sent congratulatory messages. Pakistan was mum by the time this copy went to print. The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh haven't been good with Dhaka not accepting Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Prime Minister Shiek Hasina won a landslide victory with Awami league led alliance getting 288 seats out of 298 seats. Awami league itself got 259 seats. BNP — Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance got just 7 seats. After the victory, Sheikh Hasina said the victory is nothing for her for personal gains, rather it is a great responsibility towards the country and its people". Awami league and Opposition BNP have been hitting out at each other since the results have been announced. Kamal Hossain, of the National Unity front alliance, speaking to WION, called for the cancellation of "the elections and hold a fresh election under an acceptable administration" while Sheikh Hasina's advisor Gowher Rizvi said, "These are allegations. allegations unless verified, substantiated. They are baseless. Irrelevant. Let us stick to facts". Many reports of BNP's link with Pakistani spy agency ISI came to fore ahead of the elections on December 30.

India, China congratulate Sheikh Hasina on her victory in Bangladesh elections

In pics: Bangladesh PM Hasina wins third straight term despite vote-rigging claims

Bangladesh went to the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-open-in-bangladesh-general-election-187274"> polls on Sunday</a> after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-dead-in-bangladesh-election-day-clashes-police-187288">violence-plagued campaigning</a>, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confident of a third straight term in a face-off against an opposition whose leader is in jail charged with corruption.

Mobile internet was blocked and the streets of the capital were largely deserted as many had left to vote in their hometowns. Others were seen trickling into polling booths, where posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol far outnumbered those of the opposition.

Reuters witnesses from the countryside said that in some places ruling party workers prevented opposition supporters from voting, an accusation Hasina's Awami League denied.

Millions of young new voters are registered to vote in the South Asian nation's first fully competitive general election in a decade. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the last election in 2014 claiming it wouldn't be free and fair.

The Awami League, which has touted an improved economy and development, is widely expected to win.

"I will freely vote for whom I want," said Manjur Ahmed, 23, a first-time voter who had come to a polling station with his father. "I want the development of the country to continue. I realise some people are nervous but I am not."

The BNP has been hobbled by the absence of its leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, 74, who has been in jail since February on corruption charges which she says are politically motivated.

It stitched together the National Unity Front alliance with smaller parties three months ahead of the polls, but has alleged its supporters and candidates faced attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, at the hands of ruling party activists during the campaign. The army is deployed across the country, but some BNP leaders and a European diplomat said they feared the election would be rigged.

Hasina's party dismissed the accusations, saying the opposition has been making "one false allegation after another for months prior to election as polls show a landslide victory" for the ruling party.

"I believe that people will cast their votes in favour of Awami League to continue the pace of development," Hasina told reporters in Dhaka. "The 'boat' will surely win. I believe in democracy and I have confidence in the people of my country."

She has already invited foreign journalists and poll observers to her official residence on Monday, by which time the election result is expected to be known.

"Badge of honour"

Annual growth in the Muslim-majority nation of 165 million people rose to 7.8 per cent in the 2017/18 financial year that ended on June 30, compared with 5.1 per cent when Hasina took over in 2008/09.

Over the same period, annual sales of its economic mainstay, the garment industry, nearly tripled, with garment exports worth $30.6 billion in 2017/18, making up 83.5 per cent of total exports. Bangladesh's garment industry is the world's second biggest after China. One of Hasina's top jobs if she retains power will be to address demands by garment workers for a higher minimum wage.

But she has faced accusations of increasing authoritarianism. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters on Saturday Hasina regarded such accusations by "Western media" as a "badge of honour".

At a polling booth set up in a high school in old Dhaka on Sunday, some were afraid to comment on the polls, describing an atmosphere of fear.

"I hope the result will be good for us and 'boat' will win," said a polling agent, Mohammed Selim Raj. "Boat is the symbol of our liberation."

A middle-aged businessman who declined to be named said: "I am here to vote, but my family says, 'what's the point?' The ruling party will come back in power in any case."

Hasina has been praised internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics.

The United States, which has urged Bangladesh to ensure the vote is free and fair, said opposition party candidates had "borne the brunt of most violence" in recent weeks. "Think before you act violently!" the US embassy said on Twitter. "Your country depends on it."

Hasina and Khaleda have alternated in power for most of the last three decades and this is the first election the BNP has contested without its leader.

After intensive efforts by the BNP to get Khaleda out of jail failed, her son, Tarique Rahman, who is wanted in Bangladesh accused of masterminding a 2004 plot to kill Hasina, appealed to women, who make up nearly half the 100 million voters, on Facebook.

"This is my appeal to every mother, every woman in Bangladesh: only you can get her reunited with her family through the collective power of each of your votes," he said.

Bangladesh went to the polls on Sunday after violence-plagued campaigning, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confident of a third straight term in a face-off against an opposition whose leader is in jail charged with corruption.

Bangladesh went to the polls on Sunday after violence-plagued campaigning, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confident of a third straight term in a face-off against an opposition whose leader is in jail charged with corruption. Mobile internet was blocked and the streets of the capital were largely deserted as many had left to vote in their hometowns. Others were seen trickling into polling booths, where posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol far outnumbered those of the opposition. Reuters witnesses from the countryside said that in some places ruling party workers prevented opposition supporters from voting, an accusation Hasina's Awami League denied. Millions of young new voters are registered to vote in the South Asian nation's first fully competitive general election in a decade. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the last election in 2014 claiming it wouldn't be free and fair. The Awami League, which has touted an improved economy and development, is widely expected to win. "I will freely vote for whom I want," said Manjur Ahmed, 23, a first-time voter who had come to a polling station with his father. "I want the development of the country to continue. I realise some people are nervous but I am not." The BNP has been hobbled by the absence of its leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, 74, who has been in jail since February on corruption charges which she says are politically motivated. It stitched together the National Unity Front alliance with smaller parties three months ahead of the polls, but has alleged its supporters and candidates faced attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, at the hands of ruling party activists during the campaign. The army is deployed across the country, but some BNP leaders and a European diplomat said they feared the election would be rigged. Hasina's party dismissed the accusations, saying the opposition has been making "one false allegation after another for months prior to election as polls show a landslide victory" for the ruling party. "I believe that people will cast their votes in favour of Awami League to continue the pace of development," Hasina told reporters in Dhaka. "The 'boat' will surely win. I believe in democracy and I have confidence in the people of my country." She has already invited foreign journalists and poll observers to her official residence on Monday, by which time the election result is expected to be known. "Badge of honour" Annual growth in the Muslim-majority nation of 165 million people rose to 7.8 per cent in the 2017/18 financial year that ended on June 30, compared with 5.1 per cent when Hasina took over in 2008/09. Over the same period, annual sales of its economic mainstay, the garment industry, nearly tripled, with garment exports worth $30.6 billion in 2017/18, making up 83.5 per cent of total exports. Bangladesh's garment industry is the world's second biggest after China. One of Hasina's top jobs if she retains power will be to address demands by garment workers for a higher minimum wage. But she has faced accusations of increasing authoritarianism. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters on Saturday Hasina regarded such accusations by "Western media" as a "badge of honour". At a polling booth set up in a high school in old Dhaka on Sunday, some were afraid to comment on the polls, describing an atmosphere of fear. "I hope the result will be good for us and 'boat' will win," said a polling agent, Mohammed Selim Raj. "Boat is the symbol of our liberation." A middle-aged businessman who declined to be named said: "I am here to vote, but my family says, 'what's the point?' The ruling party will come back in power in any case." Hasina has been praised internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics. The United States, which has urged Bangladesh to ensure the vote is free and fair, said opposition party candidates had "borne the brunt of most violence" in recent weeks. "Think before you act violently!" the US embassy said on Twitter. "Your country depends on it." Hasina and Khaleda have alternated in power for most of the last three decades and this is the first election the BNP has contested without its leader. After intensive efforts by the BNP to get Khaleda out of jail failed, her son, Tarique Rahman, who is wanted in Bangladesh accused of masterminding a 2004 plot to kill Hasina, appealed to women, who make up nearly half the 100 million voters, on Facebook. "This is my appeal to every mother, every woman in Bangladesh: only you can get her reunited with her family through the collective power of each of your votes," he said.

PM Hasina 'confident' as Bangladesh goes to polls

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared headed for a landslide win in a general election Sunday that was marred by clashes between rival supporters that killed 14 people and opposition claims of rigged voting.

Early results showed Hasina's Awami League racing into a clear lead, quickly securing 61 seats against one for the opposition -- some by tens of thousands of votes -- according to Channel 24, which is compiling results from around the country.

The alliance of parties running against Hasina branded the election "farcical" and urged the country's election commission to void the results.

"We are demanding that a fresh election is held under a neutral government as early as possible," Kamal Hossain, who heads the coalition, told reporters.&nbsp;

Deadly violence and bitter rivalry that marred the election campaign spilled over into voting day, even as authorities imposed tight security with 600,000 troops, police and other security forces deployed across the country.

Ten people were killed in clashes between Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters, police said, while three men were shot by police who said they were protecting polling booths.

An auxiliary police member was also killed by armed opposition activists, according to officials.

Hasina, 71, has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during her decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar.

But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival and BNP leader Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power.

The BNP-led opposition alliance Sunday accused Hasina's party of using stuffed ballot boxes and other illegal means to fix the result, which was to be officially announced Monday.

BNP spokesman Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal told reporters there were "irregularities" in 221 of the 300 seats contested.

"Voters are not allowed to enter booths. Especially women voters are being forced to vote for the boat," Alal said, referring to the Awami League symbol.&nbsp;

'We'll cast your vote'

Bangladesh election commission spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman told AFP the body had "received a few allegations of irregularities" and was investigating.

Authorities shut down high speed internet services during polling "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest. One independent television news channel complained that its broadcasts were blocked.&nbsp;

Voting in the capital Dhaka was largely peaceful as convoys of soldiers and paramilitary forces were on the streets where most traffic was banned.

"I have never missed voting in my life. This is probably the last election for me and I want a suitable candidate for my country," 98-year-old Abdus Salam said at a Dhaka polling station.

However voters in provincial areas reported intimidation. Atiar Rahman said he was beaten by ruling party activists in the central district of Narayanganj.

"They told me not to bother, 'We'll cast your vote on your behalf'," he told AFP.

The opposition said the unrest was stirred up to deter voters, and presiding officers reported a low turnout across the country.&nbsp;

Sunday's deaths brought to 18 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8.

Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they fired on opposition supporters who stormed a polling booth, killing one.

In a separate incident a man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box.

Free and fair?

Hasina needs 151 seats to control parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung opponents.

The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists were detained during the campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise support.

Human Rights Watch and other international groups said the crackdown created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots.

The United States raised concerns about the credibility of the election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

Seventeen opposition candidates were arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled.

The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades.

Hasina rejects accusations of authoritarianism but analysts say she feared young voters would support the BNP.

Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of major student protests that brought Dhaka to a standstill.&nbsp;

Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it was not free and fair.

Rights groups have since accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech by toughening a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of dissenters.

Early results showed Hasina racing into a clear lead, winning each of the first 29 seats declared -- some by tens of thousands of votes -- according to Channel 24, which is compiling results from around the country.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared headed for a landslide win in a general election Sunday that was marred by clashes between rival supporters that killed 14 people and opposition claims of rigged voting. Early results showed Hasina's Awami League racing into a clear lead, quickly securing 61 seats against one for the opposition -- some by tens of thousands of votes -- according to Channel 24, which is compiling results from around the country. The alliance of parties running against Hasina branded the election "farcical" and urged the country's election commission to void the results. "We are demanding that a fresh election is held under a neutral government as early as possible," Kamal Hossain, who heads the coalition, told reporters. Deadly violence and bitter rivalry that marred the election campaign spilled over into voting day, even as authorities imposed tight security with 600,000 troops, police and other security forces deployed across the country. Ten people were killed in clashes between Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters, police said, while three men were shot by police who said they were protecting polling booths. An auxiliary police member was also killed by armed opposition activists, according to officials. Hasina, 71, has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during her decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar. But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival and BNP leader Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power. The BNP-led opposition alliance Sunday accused Hasina's party of using stuffed ballot boxes and other illegal means to fix the result, which was to be officially announced Monday. BNP spokesman Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal told reporters there were "irregularities" in 221 of the 300 seats contested. "Voters are not allowed to enter booths. Especially women voters are being forced to vote for the boat," Alal said, referring to the Awami League symbol. 'We'll cast your vote' Bangladesh election commission spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman told AFP the body had "received a few allegations of irregularities" and was investigating. Authorities shut down high speed internet services during polling "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest. One independent television news channel complained that its broadcasts were blocked. Voting in the capital Dhaka was largely peaceful as convoys of soldiers and paramilitary forces were on the streets where most traffic was banned. "I have never missed voting in my life. This is probably the last election for me and I want a suitable candidate for my country," 98-year-old Abdus Salam said at a Dhaka polling station. However voters in provincial areas reported intimidation. Atiar Rahman said he was beaten by ruling party activists in the central district of Narayanganj. "They told me not to bother, 'We'll cast your vote on your behalf'," he told AFP. The opposition said the unrest was stirred up to deter voters, and presiding officers reported a low turnout across the country. Sunday's deaths brought to 18 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8. Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they fired on opposition supporters who stormed a polling booth, killing one. In a separate incident a man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box. Free and fair? Hasina needs 151 seats to control parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung opponents. The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists were detained during the campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise support. Human Rights Watch and other international groups said the crackdown created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots. The United States raised concerns about the credibility of the election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair. Seventeen opposition candidates were arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled. The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades. Hasina rejects accusations of authoritarianism but analysts say she feared young voters would support the BNP. Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of major student protests that brought Dhaka to a standstill. Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it was not free and fair. Rights groups have since accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech by toughening a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of dissenters.

Bangladesh election: Early poll result shows Hasina heading for landslide win

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. The polls are being held at 40,183 polling stations. Voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate.

While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister, her chief rival, ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail.

The voting started at 8 AM (local time) and ended at 4 PM.

"The eight-hour long voting has ended as per schedule...Preparedness is underway to start the counting," an Election Commission (EC) spokesman said.

The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital, he said.

The EC officials said they have received over a hundred complaints from candidates throughout the country amid reports of violence.&nbsp;

At least 17 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed in eight districts in poll-related violence, the Daily Star newspaper reported, with dozens injured. The build-up to the election has already been marred by violence.

Reports said most of the dead were ruling party activists while others were workers of opposition BNP or its allies.

Prime Minister Hasina appeared as the first voter in Dhaka centre from where her nephew and party candidate Fazle Nur Taposh was a contender.

"I'm always confident about our victory in the elections... I trust my people and I know that they will choose us so that they can get a better life in future," she said after casting her vote.

Schools and colleges across Bangladesh were turned into makeshift polling centres for the day while people had begun to line up to cast their vote even before the election opened.

At least 10 candidates - mostly BNP nominees - announced to stay off the polls alleging that their agents were ousted from polling centres by the ruling party workers.

BNP's Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that polling centres are being occupied across the country, the party's agents are being driven out and that its supporters and activists are facing violence.

"From the picture we have received, this is a violent election. We are seeing a one-sided election environment conducted at the whims of the government. This paints a clear picture that they want to ensure a favourable result through a one-sided contest," Rizvi told a media briefing at the party office.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media from his northwestern Thakurgaon constituency that some of their candidates stayed off the vote in their "personal decisions" but "we will announce our party stance at 4 PM when the voting will end".

No announcement, however, came despite the end of voting.

Veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who leads main opposition alliance National Unity Front (NUF) with BNP being its key partner, however, said "the overall environment is not bad" with a huge turnout of voters.

"But every minute I receive calls saying 'Kamal Bhai (brother), it has already happened overnight. It began in the evening. I have gotten so many reports.

These reports are concerning. It's sad and shameful," he said.

The Jatiya Oikya Front or NUF is a coalition of four parties - Gono Forum, BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League - led by Hossain.

Over 600,000 security personnel including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the country to help conduct the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote.

According to the eyewitnesses, posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol outnumbered those of the main opposition's "sheaf of paddy". 
BNP earlier said intimidation and police harassment kept their activists away from the campaign and polling process.

"Barring some unwanted incidents, the polling so far was smooth and peaceful...We could tell you at the end of the day if the election was participatory," Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda told reporters.

Citing security reasons, authorities temporarily blocked mobile data services and slowed down the internet.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's private Jamuna TV has been taken off the air.&nbsp;

Channel's chief news editor Fahim Ahmed said private cable operators stopped broadcasting their transmission without giving any reason and "so no one in Bangladesh now can see our channel due to the blackout." 
An online newspaper quoting cable operators, however, reported that they stopped Jamuna's broadcast due to technical glitches as "we are not getting their signal".

The channel is owned by an independent candidate in the polls with an influential businessman from the ruling party being her rival.

The 11th parliamentary poll is the first fully competitive general election in a decade since 2008 while it is widely expected to be won by the Awami League of Hasina, who is likely to be the country's first premier for a fourth term.

Zia, serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges, has been barred from contesting the polls while her son Tarique Rahman is living in London in self-exile.

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. The polls are being held at 40,183 polling stations. Voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate. While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister, her chief rival, ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail. The voting started at 8 AM (local time) and ended at 4 PM. "The eight-hour long voting has ended as per schedule...Preparedness is underway to start the counting," an Election Commission (EC) spokesman said. The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital, he said. The EC officials said they have received over a hundred complaints from candidates throughout the country amid reports of violence. At least 17 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed in eight districts in poll-related violence, the Daily Star newspaper reported, with dozens injured. The build-up to the election has already been marred by violence. Reports said most of the dead were ruling party activists while others were workers of opposition BNP or its allies. Prime Minister Hasina appeared as the first voter in Dhaka centre from where her nephew and party candidate Fazle Nur Taposh was a contender. "I'm always confident about our victory in the elections... I trust my people and I know that they will choose us so that they can get a better life in future," she said after casting her vote. Schools and colleges across Bangladesh were turned into makeshift polling centres for the day while people had begun to line up to cast their vote even before the election opened. At least 10 candidates - mostly BNP nominees - announced to stay off the polls alleging that their agents were ousted from polling centres by the ruling party workers. BNP's Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that polling centres are being occupied across the country, the party's agents are being driven out and that its supporters and activists are facing violence. "From the picture we have received, this is a violent election. We are seeing a one-sided election environment conducted at the whims of the government. This paints a clear picture that they want to ensure a favourable result through a one-sided contest," Rizvi told a media briefing at the party office. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media from his northwestern Thakurgaon constituency that some of their candidates stayed off the vote in their "personal decisions" but "we will announce our party stance at 4 PM when the voting will end". No announcement, however, came despite the end of voting. Veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who leads main opposition alliance National Unity Front (NUF) with BNP being its key partner, however, said "the overall environment is not bad" with a huge turnout of voters. "But every minute I receive calls saying 'Kamal Bhai (brother), it has already happened overnight. It began in the evening. I have gotten so many reports. These reports are concerning. It's sad and shameful," he said. The Jatiya Oikya Front or NUF is a coalition of four parties - Gono Forum, BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League - led by Hossain. Over 600,000 security personnel including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the country to help conduct the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote. According to the eyewitnesses, posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol outnumbered those of the main opposition's "sheaf of paddy". BNP earlier said intimidation and police harassment kept their activists away from the campaign and polling process. "Barring some unwanted incidents, the polling so far was smooth and peaceful...We could tell you at the end of the day if the election was participatory," Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda told reporters. Citing security reasons, authorities temporarily blocked mobile data services and slowed down the internet. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's private Jamuna TV has been taken off the air. Channel's chief news editor Fahim Ahmed said private cable operators stopped broadcasting their transmission without giving any reason and "so no one in Bangladesh now can see our channel due to the blackout." An online newspaper quoting cable operators, however, reported that they stopped Jamuna's broadcast due to technical glitches as "we are not getting their signal". The channel is owned by an independent candidate in the polls with an influential businessman from the ruling party being her rival. The 11th parliamentary poll is the first fully competitive general election in a decade since 2008 while it is widely expected to be won by the Awami League of Hasina, who is likely to be the country's first premier for a fourth term. Zia, serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges, has been barred from contesting the polls while her son Tarique Rahman is living in London in self-exile.

Voting ends in Bangladesh election; 17 killed in poll-related violence 

At least 12 people were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-polls-ten-killed-in-election-day-clashes-following-violent-campaign-187334">killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh</a> Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term.

Three men were shot by police while eight others died in clashes between activists from the ruling Awami League Party and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), police said.

An auxiliary police member was killed after being attacked by opposition activists armed with guns and sticks, according to officials.

Voting, which ended at 4:00pm (1000 GMT), was held under tight security. Polls have predicted that Hasina will clinch a third-consecutive term and record fourth overall.

Bangladesh's leader has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during an unbroken decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar.

But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power.

The election campaign was marred by violence between supporters of Hasina's Awami League and Zia's BNP.

Some <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel were deployed </a>across the South Asian country, including at 40,000 polling stations.

Authorities ordered mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest.

The election-day deaths brought to 16 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8.

Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they opened fire on opposition supporters who attempted to storm a polling booth, killing one.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-tv-station-taken-off-air-for-election-day-187312">Bangladesh TV station taken off air for election day</a>

In a separate incident another man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box.

Free and fair?

Opinion polls show Hasina, who has presided over six per cent GDP expansion every year since she won a landslide in 2008, heading for a comfortable victory that would extend her reign as the country's longest-serving leader.

She needs 151 seats in the first-past-the-post system to control the 300-seat parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung her opponents' campaign and scared people into voting for her.

The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists have been detained during the weeks-long campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise grassroots support.

"We are getting disturbing reports outside Dhaka that overnight votes have been cast illegally," said Kamal Hossain, the 82-year-old architect of Bangladesh's constitution who is helming the opposition coalition.&nbsp;

Presiding officers at polling stations across Dhaka reported a low turnout.

Human Rights Watch and other international groups have decried the crackdown, saying it has created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots.

The United States has raised concerns about the credibility of the Muslim-majority country's election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

Seventeen opposition candidates have been arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled.

"This is not (a) free and fair election. It is more a controlled selection," said a Western diplomat who asked not to be named.

Student protests

The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades.

Hasina rejects accusations of creeping authoritarianism but analysts say she mounted the clampdown over fears that young voters were set to hand a victory to the BNP.

Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of massive student protests over the abolition of job quotas and poor safety standards on Bangladesh's dangerous roads.&nbsp;

Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it wasn't free or fair.

Since then, rights groups have accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech through the toughening of a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of government dissenters.

At least 12 people were killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term.

At least 12 people were killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term. Three men were shot by police while eight others died in clashes between activists from the ruling Awami League Party and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), police said. An auxiliary police member was killed after being attacked by opposition activists armed with guns and sticks, according to officials. Voting, which ended at 4:00pm (1000 GMT), was held under tight security. Polls have predicted that Hasina will clinch a third-consecutive term and record fourth overall. Bangladesh's leader has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during an unbroken decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar. But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power. The election campaign was marred by violence between supporters of Hasina's Awami League and Zia's BNP. Some 600,000 security personnel were deployed across the South Asian country, including at 40,000 polling stations. Authorities ordered mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest. The election-day deaths brought to 16 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8. Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they opened fire on opposition supporters who attempted to storm a polling booth, killing one. Also read: Bangladesh TV station taken off air for election day In a separate incident another man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box. Free and fair? Opinion polls show Hasina, who has presided over six per cent GDP expansion every year since she won a landslide in 2008, heading for a comfortable victory that would extend her reign as the country's longest-serving leader. She needs 151 seats in the first-past-the-post system to control the 300-seat parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung her opponents' campaign and scared people into voting for her. The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists have been detained during the weeks-long campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise grassroots support. "We are getting disturbing reports outside Dhaka that overnight votes have been cast illegally," said Kamal Hossain, the 82-year-old architect of Bangladesh's constitution who is helming the opposition coalition. Presiding officers at polling stations across Dhaka reported a low turnout. Human Rights Watch and other international groups have decried the crackdown, saying it has created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots. The United States has raised concerns about the credibility of the Muslim-majority country's election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair. Seventeen opposition candidates have been arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled. "This is not (a) free and fair election. It is more a controlled selection," said a Western diplomat who asked not to be named. Student protests The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades. Hasina rejects accusations of creeping authoritarianism but analysts say she mounted the clampdown over fears that young voters were set to hand a victory to the BNP. Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of massive student protests over the abolition of job quotas and poor safety standards on Bangladesh's dangerous roads. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it wasn't free or fair. Since then, rights groups have accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech through the toughening of a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of government dissenters.

Bangladesh elections: Voting ends, 12 killed in poll-related violence

A leading Bangladeshi news channel has been taken off the air, officials said Sunday as the country votes for a new government amid allegations of a media crackdown.&nbsp;

The private Jamuna TV said the action was taken late Saturday.&nbsp;

"Cable operators took Jamuna TV off air without giving us any explanation," Fahim Ahmed, the station's chief news editor, told AFP.

"We are still transmitting. But no one in Bangladesh can see our channel due to the blackout," he said. The channel's output can still be seen online.

The broadcaster, which is owned by Jamuna Group -- one of Bangladesh's biggest conglomerates, which also runs a newspaper -- is known for its independent coverage.

Salma Islam, a member of the family that owns the group, stood in Sunday's election as an independent candidate against an influential ruling party businessman.

A top cable operator in Dhaka said Jamuna broadcasts stopped for technical rather than political reasons.&nbsp;

"We are not getting their signal," said S.M Ali Chanchal, owner of cable operator UCS. Jamuna rejected the explanation and insisted their signals were being broadcast as normal.

Authorities have also ordered the country's mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest.

There have been mounting accusations that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has been stifling dissent and curbing freedom of the press ahead of Sunday's election.

Internationally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam was detained for nearly four months after he was accused of making false and provocative statements against Hasina on Facebook.

Two pro-opposition editors have been detained for months over what they say are trumped-up charges while the editors of two influential dailies were accused of sedition and scores of other defamation cases.

In recent months Hasina's government has also strengthened a digital security law, which rights groups and journalists have said makes investigative journalism almost impossible. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

A leading Bangladeshi news channel has been taken off the air, officials said Sunday as the country votes for a new government amid allegations of a media crackdown.

A leading Bangladeshi news channel has been taken off the air, officials said Sunday as the country votes for a new government amid allegations of a media crackdown. The private Jamuna TV said the action was taken late Saturday. "Cable operators took Jamuna TV off air without giving us any explanation," Fahim Ahmed, the station's chief news editor, told AFP. "We are still transmitting. But no one in Bangladesh can see our channel due to the blackout," he said. The channel's output can still be seen online. The broadcaster, which is owned by Jamuna Group -- one of Bangladesh's biggest conglomerates, which also runs a newspaper -- is known for its independent coverage. Salma Islam, a member of the family that owns the group, stood in Sunday's election as an independent candidate against an influential ruling party businessman. A top cable operator in Dhaka said Jamuna broadcasts stopped for technical rather than political reasons. "We are not getting their signal," said S.M Ali Chanchal, owner of cable operator UCS. Jamuna rejected the explanation and insisted their signals were being broadcast as normal. Authorities have also ordered the country's mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest. There have been mounting accusations that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has been stifling dissent and curbing freedom of the press ahead of Sunday's election. Internationally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam was detained for nearly four months after he was accused of making false and provocative statements against Hasina on Facebook. Two pro-opposition editors have been detained for months over what they say are trumped-up charges while the editors of two influential dailies were accused of sedition and scores of other defamation cases. In recent months Hasina's government has also strengthened a digital security law, which rights groups and journalists have said makes investigative journalism almost impossible.

Bangladesh TV station taken off air for election day

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said.

While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents.

Two others were shot dead by police, one after he tried to steal a ballot box and the other when opposition activists attempted to storm a polling station, according to officers.&nbsp;

Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began&nbsp;at 8:00 am on Sunday.

Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to&nbsp;vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;

Polls opened at 08:00 am (0200 GMT) amid tight security following a campaign that was marred by violence and allegations of a government crackdown on opposition activists.

Around&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel&nbsp;were deployed</a>&nbsp;in the country ahead of the polls.

Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls.

Thirteen people were earlier killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

(With inputs from agencies)

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said. While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents.

Eight people were killed in clashes on election day in Bangladesh on Sunday, police said. While three people were killed in skirmishes between activists of the ruling Awami League party and supporters of the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party opposition in separate incidents. Two others were shot dead by police, one after he tried to steal a ballot box and the other when opposition activists attempted to storm a polling station, according to officers. Voting for the general elections in Bangladesh, to elect the country's next prime minister, began at 8:00 am on Sunday. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis are expected to vote in the single-phase general election in the country's 11th national parliamentary election. Polls opened at 08:00 am (0200 GMT) amid tight security following a campaign that was marred by violence and allegations of a government crackdown on opposition activists. Around 600,000 security personnel were deployed in the country ahead of the polls. Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls. Thirteen people were earlier killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). (With inputs from agencies)

Eight dead in election-related violence in Bangladesh

Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshs-battling-begums-fight-for-survival-in-2018-187097">general election</a> expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term.

Authorities have deployed around 600,000 police, army and other security forces ahead of Sunday's vote, a senior official said, following a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shot-in-the-back-the-dangers-of-being-an-opposition-candidate-in-bangladesh-187096">deadly campaign marred by clashes</a>.

The forces -- which also include the elite Rapid Action Battalion, navy, border and coast guards and auxiliary police units -- are providing security to some 40,000 election booths.

"We have ensured the highest level of security in Bangladesh as per the capacity of the country," Rafiqul Islam of the election commission told AFP.

"We hope there will be a peaceful atmosphere," he said.

Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls.

Thirteen people have been killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 election, says its supporters have been deliberately targeted in a bid to deter them from voting and rig the election in Hasina's favour.

The Awami League and BNP are leading their own alliances in the country's 11th parliamentary polls since independence in 1971.

The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in prison on graft charges, has accused the election commission of bias during the electoral campaign -- a charge rejected by its chief commissioner, K.M Nurul Huda.

The opposition says that some 14,000 of its activists have been detained since the election schedule was announced on November 8. It also alleges that around 12,000 activists were injured in attacks by ruling party followers. The ruling party denies the allegation. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Rafiqul Islam said election authorities were still hopeful the vote would be credible. The United States has raised concerns about the elections while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

"We're trying our best to have a free and fair election," he said.

Islam added that authorities may slow down internet speeds on election day in an effort to "prevent the spread of rumours", that could trigger unrest.

The country's telecoms regulator shut down higher speed internet services on Thursday before restoring them on Friday morning.

The election commission has also imposed restrictions on public transport and cars on polling day in an effort to maintain security and "conduct the election smoothly", he said.

Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a general election expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term.

Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a general election expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term. Authorities have deployed around 600,000 police, army and other security forces ahead of Sunday's vote, a senior official said, following a deadly campaign marred by clashes. The forces -- which also include the elite Rapid Action Battalion, navy, border and coast guards and auxiliary police units -- are providing security to some 40,000 election booths. "We have ensured the highest level of security in Bangladesh as per the capacity of the country," Rafiqul Islam of the election commission told AFP. "We hope there will be a peaceful atmosphere," he said. Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls. Thirteen people have been killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 election, says its supporters have been deliberately targeted in a bid to deter them from voting and rig the election in Hasina's favour. The Awami League and BNP are leading their own alliances in the country's 11th parliamentary polls since independence in 1971. The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in prison on graft charges, has accused the election commission of bias during the electoral campaign -- a charge rejected by its chief commissioner, K.M Nurul Huda. The opposition says that some 14,000 of its activists have been detained since the election schedule was announced on November 8. It also alleges that around 12,000 activists were injured in attacks by ruling party followers. The ruling party denies the allegation. Rafiqul Islam said election authorities were still hopeful the vote would be credible. The United States has raised concerns about the elections while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair. "We're trying our best to have a free and fair election," he said. Islam added that authorities may slow down internet speeds on election day in an effort to "prevent the spread of rumours", that could trigger unrest. The country's telecoms regulator shut down higher speed internet services on Thursday before restoring them on Friday morning. The election commission has also imposed restrictions on public transport and cars on polling day in an effort to maintain security and "conduct the election smoothly", he said.

Bangladesh polls: Around 600,000 security personnel deployed ahead of voting

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;

Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;

Security has been stepped up ahead of the polls. Only vehicles belonging to journalists and police will be allowed to ply on roads. As per reports, around <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel have been deployed</a>.

The high decibel election campaigning ended on Thursday after weeks of violence. As the polling hour draws closer, here's taking a quick look at some of the key facts related to Bangladesh's national polls.&nbsp;

1. After 10 years, 39 registered political parties are participating in the general polls.&nbsp;

2. About 104.2 million voters will exercise their franchise in&nbsp;elections.&nbsp;

3. Over 1,800 candidates are contesting in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies.

4. 299 of the total 300 constituencies will go to polls. Polling in one constituency will be conducted on January 27.

5. Rapid Action Battalion has been deployed as a striking force.&nbsp;

6. A total of 1,861 candidates are in the fray.&nbsp;

7. As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths have been set up.&nbsp;

8. Of the total 40,183 polling centres, 25,827 (64%) have been identified as vulnerable.&nbsp;

9. EVMs will be used in six constituencies - Dhaka 6, Dhaka 13, Chittagong 9, Rangpur 3, Khulna 2 and Satkhira 2.

10.&nbsp;The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has set up a control room to monitor the situation closely. 
&nbsp; 
The primary Opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is in a state of disarray owing to the absence of two of its top leaders.&nbsp;

Main opposition leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a>, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting.

Her son, BNP's acting chief, Tarique Rahman is on an exile in London after a Bangladesh court sentenced him to life in jail for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004 that killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists.

The emergence of the National Unity Forum as a joint Opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in Zia's absence, it is Kamal Hossain who is giving a tough fight to PM Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League.

Kamal Hossain is the convenor of the opposition National United Front. In a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/its-not-between-sheikh-hasina-and-me-its-about-politics-of-value-kamal-hossain-187073">conversation to WION, Hossain</a> said that PM Hasina and her party have made the elections about money and power.

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election.

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election. Security has been stepped up ahead of the polls. Only vehicles belonging to journalists and police will be allowed to ply on roads. As per reports, around 600,000 security personnel have been deployed. The high decibel election campaigning ended on Thursday after weeks of violence. As the polling hour draws closer, here's taking a quick look at some of the key facts related to Bangladesh's national polls. 1. After 10 years, 39 registered political parties are participating in the general polls. 2. About 104.2 million voters will exercise their franchise in elections. 3. Over 1,800 candidates are contesting in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies. 4. 299 of the total 300 constituencies will go to polls. Polling in one constituency will be conducted on January 27. 5. Rapid Action Battalion has been deployed as a striking force. 6. A total of 1,861 candidates are in the fray. 7. As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths have been set up. 8. Of the total 40,183 polling centres, 25,827 (64%) have been identified as vulnerable. 9. EVMs will be used in six constituencies - Dhaka 6, Dhaka 13, Chittagong 9, Rangpur 3, Khulna 2 and Satkhira 2. 10. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has set up a control room to monitor the situation closely. The primary Opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is in a state of disarray owing to the absence of two of its top leaders. Main opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting. Her son, BNP's acting chief, Tarique Rahman is on an exile in London after a Bangladesh court sentenced him to life in jail for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004 that killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists. The emergence of the National Unity Forum as a joint Opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February. Meanwhile, in Zia's absence, it is Kamal Hossain who is giving a tough fight to PM Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League. Kamal Hossain is the convenor of the opposition National United Front. In a conversation to WION, Hossain said that PM Hasina and her party have made the elections about money and power.

Bangladesh elections 2018: A look at key facts

At a library inside a small district court in southeastern Bangladesh, barrister Mahabub Uddin Khokon stood up to take off his coat and scrunched his white shirt up to his shoulders to reveal a back covered in bandages over several shotgun pellet wounds. Settling back into an office chair, the 62-year-old smiled.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-bangladesh-vote-opposition-says-it-faces-a-reign-of-terror-187069">Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces 'a reign of terror'</a>

"You see, my fight is not against the Awami League. It's not them I am running against," he said, referring to Bangladesh's ruling party. "It's against the police, the Election Commission, and the entire government machinery."&nbsp;

Khokon, who is contesting Sunday's parliamentary election as a candidate for the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alleges he was shot on December 15 by a senior police officer in Noakhali, a mostly-rural district in the country's southeast. At the time he says he was out canvassing for votes along with hundreds of supporters, of whom about 40 were also injured.&nbsp;

"I thought the police was there to protect us," said Khokon, who is also secretary of Bangladesh's Supreme Court Bar Association.

The top election official in the area, who also oversees the police, has dismissed the allegations. Police, the government and the Awami League also deny opposition allegations of intimidation and say the election campaign period has been fair.&nbsp;

While violence during election campaigns is not new in the South Asian nation, the attack on Khokon and his supporters have fed into the opposition accusations.

Sprawling paddy fields and coconut trees flank narrow roads in Noakhali's Sonaimuri, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, where Khokon is contesting.&nbsp;

The town was the scene of bloody violence on December 15.&nbsp;

"The (police) officer-in-charge asked Khokon to leave the place immediately and then abruptly fired pellet bullets at the petitioner (Khokon)," said a lawsuit Khokon has filed at the Dhaka High Court against specific police officers, the government and the election commission.

One pellet hit Khokon's chin, five his back and two his legs, the suit alleges, adding that 40 other opposition activists were also "grievously injured by illegal and unjustified firing of bullets by police" in that attack.&nbsp;

Tanmoy Das, the returning officer in charge of overseeing elections and police in Noakhali, said Khokon had made exaggerated claims and it was not the police but others, perhaps people from Khokon's own party, who shot at him because of internal discord. HM Ibrahim, the Awami League candidate Khokon is running against, echoed those statements.

"Some violence is usual in our politics," Ibrahim said, adding that Khokon's supporters had attacked an Awami League office on the same day and in the same area that Khokon was attacked. "He is a lawyer, he is trying to make a fool of the public. His own party people must have fired at him."

Das said an investigation was underway, and the police officer in charge in Sonaimuri had been "replaced" on orders of the Election Commission "due to pressure." He declined to say who the pressure was from.

"I think the situation is good here. There is a level playing field," Das said, adding that he had received no complaints of Awami League workers threatening or attacking anyone.

At a library inside a small district court in southeastern Bangladesh, barrister Mahabub Uddin Khokon stood up to take off his coat and scrunched his white shirt up to his shoulders to reveal a back covered in bandages over several shotgun pellet wounds.

At a library inside a small district court in southeastern Bangladesh, barrister Mahabub Uddin Khokon stood up to take off his coat and scrunched his white shirt up to his shoulders to reveal a back covered in bandages over several shotgun pellet wounds. Settling back into an office chair, the 62-year-old smiled. Also read: Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces 'a reign of terror' "You see, my fight is not against the Awami League. It's not them I am running against," he said, referring to Bangladesh's ruling party. "It's against the police, the Election Commission, and the entire government machinery." Khokon, who is contesting Sunday's parliamentary election as a candidate for the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alleges he was shot on December 15 by a senior police officer in Noakhali, a mostly-rural district in the country's southeast. At the time he says he was out canvassing for votes along with hundreds of supporters, of whom about 40 were also injured. "I thought the police was there to protect us," said Khokon, who is also secretary of Bangladesh's Supreme Court Bar Association. The top election official in the area, who also oversees the police, has dismissed the allegations. Police, the government and the Awami League also deny opposition allegations of intimidation and say the election campaign period has been fair. While violence during election campaigns is not new in the South Asian nation, the attack on Khokon and his supporters have fed into the opposition accusations. Sprawling paddy fields and coconut trees flank narrow roads in Noakhali's Sonaimuri, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, where Khokon is contesting. The town was the scene of bloody violence on December 15. "The (police) officer-in-charge asked Khokon to leave the place immediately and then abruptly fired pellet bullets at the petitioner (Khokon)," said a lawsuit Khokon has filed at the Dhaka High Court against specific police officers, the government and the election commission. One pellet hit Khokon's chin, five his back and two his legs, the suit alleges, adding that 40 other opposition activists were also "grievously injured by illegal and unjustified firing of bullets by police" in that attack. Tanmoy Das, the returning officer in charge of overseeing elections and police in Noakhali, said Khokon had made exaggerated claims and it was not the police but others, perhaps people from Khokon's own party, who shot at him because of internal discord. HM Ibrahim, the Awami League candidate Khokon is running against, echoed those statements. "Some violence is usual in our politics," Ibrahim said, adding that Khokon's supporters had attacked an Awami League office on the same day and in the same area that Khokon was attacked. "He is a lawyer, he is trying to make a fool of the public. His own party people must have fired at him." Das said an investigation was underway, and the police officer in charge in Sonaimuri had been "replaced" on orders of the Election Commission "due to pressure." He declined to say who the pressure was from. "I think the situation is good here. There is a level playing field," Das said, adding that he had received no complaints of Awami League workers threatening or attacking anyone.

Shot in the back: Dangers of being an opposition candidate in Bangladesh

The year 2018 was an eventful one for Bangladesh which is going to crucial polls on Sunday but it may not see the "battling begums" in direct contest as jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia is unable to challenge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government maintained steady ties with India.

The two women - Hasina, the 71-year-old daughter of the country's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Zia, the 73-year-old widow of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, have been political royalty - begums - since the 1980s.

While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister in the upcoming polls, her rival Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail.

Zia, the two-time former prime minister, boycotted the 2014 elections, saying it was rigged in favour of Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alleges that the AL-led government is engaged in a crackdown against its workers aiming at derailing its election campaign.

The first woman prime minister in the country's history and second in the Muslim-majority countries after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto, Zia was in November ordered by a court to stay behind bars for more than a decade for graft. The convictions mean she cannot contest the poll.

Zia's supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated. Her son Tarique Rahman, the acting party head, was also sentenced to life behind bars.

The BNP had decided not to take part in the polls while its top leader was in jail. But the legal obligations forced the party to take part in the elections as the party could have lost its registration with the Election Commission if it would have abstained from polls for a second consecutive time.

The emergence of the National Unity Forum (NUF) as a joint opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February.

The alliance created hope for the BNP to have a pre-polls dialogue with the government. A former Awami League stalwart and eminent jurist, Kamal Hossain leads the NUF. He, however, preferred not to contest the polls himself.

Several Western diplomats and political analysts inside the country said the emergence of the NUF created a win-win situation for all stakeholders and paved the way for the BNP to return to Parliament.

Unlike the 2014 elections, major foreign powers appeared appreciative of the current political course despite their worries about the rights situation in the country. 
The zero use of the anti-India rhetoric during the election campaign came as a respite to New Delhi, which in the past was accused of intervening in the country's politics.

Analysts said the BNP over the years preferred to get New Delhi as an ally, burying the old hostile attitude, a development which some of them preferred to call "bipartisan consensus" regarding the next-door neighbour.

Bangladesh's ties with India this year grew steadily, with high-level visits from both sides. Hasina visited India in May during which she held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The last few years have been a "golden chapter" in India-Bangladesh relationship when complicated issues of land and coastal boundaries were resolved, Modi said at the time.

Echoing his views, Hasina hoped that the remaining issues will also be resolved in a "friendly atmosphere".

India signed a revised travel agreement with Bangladesh during Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Dhaka in July.

Under the Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA)-2018, freedom fighters and elderly Bangladeshi nationals will get five-year multiple visa from India.

During the year, the two countries launched many development cooperation projects, including the construction of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line and the restoration of Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of railway line.

The two countries jointly inaugurated the construction of a 130-km Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline between Siliguri in West Bengal and Parbatipur in Dinajpur. India also announced a three-year visa for Bangladeshi students willing to study in the country. The issue of Teesta water sharing issue, however, remained unresolved.

Most analysts feel that the crucial bilateral ties now witness a new trajectory since the Awami League assumed power in 2009 and they expect the relations to grow further in 2019 irrespective of the outcome of Bangladesh's elections.

The Rohingya crisis remained a major issue in Bangladesh this year. The country rallied huge international support to put pressure on Myanmar to take back minority Muslim Rohingyas who fled the country following a military crackdown.

After several rounds of talks, Myanmar agreed to start the repatriation. But the planned beginning of the repatriation of thousands of Rohingyas which was set for November 15 faced a setback amid concerns over their safety once they return to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Some foreign relations analysts said Dhaka was a bit upset with India's role in the Rohingya crisis particularly for not mounting pressure on Myanmar to take back 1.1 million people, who were forced to take refuge in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh set a bad track record in terms of human rights this year, drawing massive criticism for incidents of "forced disappearances" and deaths in the hands of law enforcement agencies.

As Bangladesh is getting ready to install a new government, the new year promises a lot of action not only on the political front but also on foreign policy front.&nbsp;

The year 2018 was an eventful one for Bangladesh which is going to crucial polls on Sunday but it may not see the "battling begums" in direct contest as jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia is unable to challenge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government maintained steady ties with India.

The year 2018 was an eventful one for Bangladesh which is going to crucial polls on Sunday but it may not see the "battling begums" in direct contest as jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia is unable to challenge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government maintained steady ties with India. The two women - Hasina, the 71-year-old daughter of the country's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Zia, the 73-year-old widow of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, have been political royalty - begums - since the 1980s. While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister in the upcoming polls, her rival Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail. Zia, the two-time former prime minister, boycotted the 2014 elections, saying it was rigged in favour of Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alleges that the AL-led government is engaged in a crackdown against its workers aiming at derailing its election campaign. The first woman prime minister in the country's history and second in the Muslim-majority countries after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto, Zia was in November ordered by a court to stay behind bars for more than a decade for graft. The convictions mean she cannot contest the poll. Zia's supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated. Her son Tarique Rahman, the acting party head, was also sentenced to life behind bars. The BNP had decided not to take part in the polls while its top leader was in jail. But the legal obligations forced the party to take part in the elections as the party could have lost its registration with the Election Commission if it would have abstained from polls for a second consecutive time. The emergence of the National Unity Forum (NUF) as a joint opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February. The alliance created hope for the BNP to have a pre-polls dialogue with the government. A former Awami League stalwart and eminent jurist, Kamal Hossain leads the NUF. He, however, preferred not to contest the polls himself. Several Western diplomats and political analysts inside the country said the emergence of the NUF created a win-win situation for all stakeholders and paved the way for the BNP to return to Parliament. Unlike the 2014 elections, major foreign powers appeared appreciative of the current political course despite their worries about the rights situation in the country. The zero use of the anti-India rhetoric during the election campaign came as a respite to New Delhi, which in the past was accused of intervening in the country's politics. Analysts said the BNP over the years preferred to get New Delhi as an ally, burying the old hostile attitude, a development which some of them preferred to call "bipartisan consensus" regarding the next-door neighbour. Bangladesh's ties with India this year grew steadily, with high-level visits from both sides. Hasina visited India in May during which she held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The last few years have been a "golden chapter" in India-Bangladesh relationship when complicated issues of land and coastal boundaries were resolved, Modi said at the time. Echoing his views, Hasina hoped that the remaining issues will also be resolved in a "friendly atmosphere". India signed a revised travel agreement with Bangladesh during Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Dhaka in July. Under the Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA)-2018, freedom fighters and elderly Bangladeshi nationals will get five-year multiple visa from India. During the year, the two countries launched many development cooperation projects, including the construction of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line and the restoration of Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of railway line. The two countries jointly inaugurated the construction of a 130-km Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline between Siliguri in West Bengal and Parbatipur in Dinajpur. India also announced a three-year visa for Bangladeshi students willing to study in the country. The issue of Teesta water sharing issue, however, remained unresolved. Most analysts feel that the crucial bilateral ties now witness a new trajectory since the Awami League assumed power in 2009 and they expect the relations to grow further in 2019 irrespective of the outcome of Bangladesh's elections. The Rohingya crisis remained a major issue in Bangladesh this year. The country rallied huge international support to put pressure on Myanmar to take back minority Muslim Rohingyas who fled the country following a military crackdown. After several rounds of talks, Myanmar agreed to start the repatriation. But the planned beginning of the repatriation of thousands of Rohingyas which was set for November 15 faced a setback amid concerns over their safety once they return to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Some foreign relations analysts said Dhaka was a bit upset with India's role in the Rohingya crisis particularly for not mounting pressure on Myanmar to take back 1.1 million people, who were forced to take refuge in Bangladesh. Bangladesh set a bad track record in terms of human rights this year, drawing massive criticism for incidents of "forced disappearances" and deaths in the hands of law enforcement agencies. As Bangladesh is getting ready to install a new government, the new year promises a lot of action not only on the political front but also on foreign policy front.

Bangladesh's 'battling begums' fight for survival in 2018

Bangladesh polls 2018: Over 1,800 candidates in fray and other key facts

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time. &nbsp;

But, Hasina' campaign faces a threat from Pakistan. In the past few weeks, WION has reported serious claims of election meddling in the neighbouring country.

Now, the government of Bangladesh has unearthed a plot to pump in huge sums of money to tilt the scales against Hasina in the upcoming polls. Country's anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, claims to have seized local currency worth more than $20 million.&nbsp;

The agency claims to have raided the offices of United Corporation - a firm allegedly carrying out hawala transactions in connivance with a candidate belonging to the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-are-bangladesh-elections-important-186782">Why are Bangladesh elections important?</a>

Reports suggest, Tarique Rahman, Zia's son and BNP's acting chairman, was engineering this funding operation with the help from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Rahman has been living in London under self-imposed exile.

Bangladesh's Opposition has been critical of PM Hasina's government. They say this election is not a fair fight. Three main Opposition parties, including Zia's BNP, have come together to contest this year's polls, they call themselves the United National Front.

The Opposition claims that more than 10,000 of their members have been rounded up and put in jail.

Since her return to power in 2008, Sheikh Hasina has led a campaign to uproot every terror module in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

In an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-and-isi-trying-to-sabotage-elections-with-bnp-help-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-to-wion-186762">exclusive interview with WION</a>, the Bangladeshi PM affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country, indirectly hinting at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land.&nbsp;

“There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.&nbsp;

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time.

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time. But, Hasina' campaign faces a threat from Pakistan. In the past few weeks, WION has reported serious claims of election meddling in the neighbouring country. Now, the government of Bangladesh has unearthed a plot to pump in huge sums of money to tilt the scales against Hasina in the upcoming polls. Country's anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, claims to have seized local currency worth more than $20 million. The agency claims to have raided the offices of United Corporation - a firm allegedly carrying out hawala transactions in connivance with a candidate belonging to the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Also read: Why are Bangladesh elections important? Reports suggest, Tarique Rahman, Zia's son and BNP's acting chairman, was engineering this funding operation with the help from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Rahman has been living in London under self-imposed exile. Bangladesh's Opposition has been critical of PM Hasina's government. They say this election is not a fair fight. Three main Opposition parties, including Zia's BNP, have come together to contest this year's polls, they call themselves the United National Front. The Opposition claims that more than 10,000 of their members have been rounded up and put in jail. Since her return to power in 2008, Sheikh Hasina has led a campaign to uproot every terror module in Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with WION, the Bangladeshi PM affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country, indirectly hinting at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land. “There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.

Bangladesh polls 2018: PM Hasina eyes another term; set to challenge Opposition, counter terrorism

Bangladesh's deadly election campaign entered a final full day Thursday with followers of Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-polls-2018-pm-hasina-eyes-another-term-set-to-challenge-opposition-counter-terrorism-186795">Sheikh Hasina</a> parading in the streets while her opponents insisted the vote would not be free and fair.

Both sides launched new salvoes in their war of words ahead of Sunday's polling.

Hasina accused the opposition of organising bomb attacks while the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-violence-youths-carrying-awami-league-banner-attack-bnp-candidate-186668">Bangladesh Nationalist Party</a>&nbsp;said "the state" was aiding an assault on the opposition.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters of the ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday.

The BNP, whose leader is in jail, said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet however.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-and-isi-trying-to-sabotage-elections-with-bnp-help-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-to-wion-186762">Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION</a>

At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8.

The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami say more than 11,500 of their followers have been arrested and thousand of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers.

Amid international concern over events, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-are-bangladesh-elections-important-186782">Why are Bangladesh elections important?</a>

Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll," said a spokesman.

'Blind' opposition

Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process," the UN leader added through his spokesman.

The United States called off an observer mission it was financing because of delays issuing visas. Human Rights Watch has said the election was being conducted in a "repressive political environment".&nbsp;

Hasina, seeking a third straight term and a record fourth in all, has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement her ambitious economic plans.

Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies".

"There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said.

Hasina focused a speech broadcast by video late Wednesday to supporters in Dhaka on the impressive economic growth of the past decade.

She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average incomes to more than $5,400 by 2030.

Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise Bangladesh's achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said.

"I call upon people to continue the pace of improvement and give us more scope to serve again."

The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press.

BNP leader Khaleda Zia, an arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges.

"The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters. "All the attacks are made on BNP people."

"It is very unfortunate and unimaginable that these attacks are being sponsored by the state itself," he added, according to the Daily Star.

The BNP-led opposition alliance has accused police of siding with the Awami League and said they were barred from holding a final rally on Thursday.

Police turned down their request to hold a meeting in Dhaka, an alliance spokesman Latfiul Bari Hamim told AFP. Dhaka police said they were not aware of the request.

At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8.

Bangladesh's deadly election campaign entered a final full day Thursday with followers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina parading in the streets while her opponents insisted the vote would not be free and fair. Both sides launched new salvoes in their war of words ahead of Sunday's polling. Hasina accused the opposition of organising bomb attacks while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party said "the state" was aiding an assault on the opposition. Thousands of flag-waving supporters of the ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday. The BNP, whose leader is in jail, said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet however. Also read: Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION At least six people -- four from the BNP and two from the Awami League -- have been killed since the campaign started on November 8. The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami say more than 11,500 of their followers have been arrested and thousand of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers. Amid international concern over events, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm. Also read: Why are Bangladesh elections important? Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll," said a spokesman. 'Blind' opposition Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote. Civil society and electoral observers should be fully supported to play their role in the process," the UN leader added through his spokesman. The United States called off an observer mission it was financing because of delays issuing visas. Human Rights Watch has said the election was being conducted in a "repressive political environment". Hasina, seeking a third straight term and a record fourth in all, has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement her ambitious economic plans. Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies". "There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said. Hasina focused a speech broadcast by video late Wednesday to supporters in Dhaka on the impressive economic growth of the past decade. She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average incomes to more than $5,400 by 2030. Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise Bangladesh's achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said. "I call upon people to continue the pace of improvement and give us more scope to serve again." The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press. BNP leader Khaleda Zia, an arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges. "The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters. "All the attacks are made on BNP people." "It is very unfortunate and unimaginable that these attacks are being sponsored by the state itself," he added, according to the Daily Star. The BNP-led opposition alliance has accused police of siding with the Awami League and said they were barred from holding a final rally on Thursday. Police turned down their request to hold a meeting in Dhaka, an alliance spokesman Latfiul Bari Hamim told AFP. Dhaka police said they were not aware of the request.

Bangladesh: Violent election campaign ends with opposition fearing unfair voting

Days before <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-are-bangladesh-elections-important-186782">Bangladesh goes to general elections</a>, scheduled to be held on December 30, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the ISI was trying to sabotage the elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders in the country.&nbsp;

“Why only blame Pakistan and ISI? If at all we have to blame, we should blame the BNP. BNP is taking bribe and money from the ISI to destroy the democratic structure of the country. There is no love for the country and it’s people. They do not want the country to make any progress,” Hasina told WION.&nbsp;

She further took a dig at the main opposition party in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying that the party leaders were charged with committing war crimes in 1971.&nbsp;

“In 1971, they were defeated in the country. They have been charged with war crimes and grenade attacks in the country. People rejected them and brought us to power. They killed our people and intellectuals. People of Bangladesh have not forgotten those days. They are extremely cautious about whom to vote and they are going to reject BNP,” added Hasina.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-bangladesh-election-results-will-impact-its-ties-with-india-186618">Bangladesh's 'battling begums' - India-Bangladesh ties under PM Sheikh Hasina, ex-PM Khaleda Zia</a>

BNP and other opposition parties had boycotted the earlier general elections held in 2014 and the ruling Awami League won with almost more than 150 seats being uncontested.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country. She even backed India’s policy on Pakistan of no dialogue and deliberations till it puts an end to cross-border terrorism. She indirectly hinted at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land.&nbsp;

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“There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.&nbsp;

Days before Bangladesh goes to general elections, scheduled to be held on December 30, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the ISI was trying to sabotage the elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders in the country.

Days before Bangladesh goes to general elections, scheduled to be held on December 30, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the ISI was trying to sabotage the elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders in the country. “Why only blame Pakistan and ISI? If at all we have to blame, we should blame the BNP. BNP is taking bribe and money from the ISI to destroy the democratic structure of the country. There is no love for the country and it’s people. They do not want the country to make any progress,” Hasina told WION. She further took a dig at the main opposition party in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying that the party leaders were charged with committing war crimes in 1971. “In 1971, they were defeated in the country. They have been charged with war crimes and grenade attacks in the country. People rejected them and brought us to power. They killed our people and intellectuals. People of Bangladesh have not forgotten those days. They are extremely cautious about whom to vote and they are going to reject BNP,” added Hasina. Also read: Bangladesh's 'battling begums' - India-Bangladesh ties under PM Sheikh Hasina, ex-PM Khaleda Zia BNP and other opposition parties had boycotted the earlier general elections held in 2014 and the ruling Awami League won with almost more than 150 seats being uncontested. The Prime Minister affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country. She even backed India’s policy on Pakistan of no dialogue and deliberations till it puts an end to cross-border terrorism. She indirectly hinted at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land. × “There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.

Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION

Merely four days before the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-violence-youths-carrying-awami-league-banner-attack-bnp-candidate-186668">11th General Elections</a>, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias.&nbsp;

This comes in the aftermath of a delegation belonging to the alliance walking out of a meeting with the CEC, KM Nurul Huda, on December 25 over the latter`s "discourteous" behaviour.

"When we began to complain about the police role, he [CEC] took their side. We Don`t expect such behaviour" The Daily Star quoted Nazrul Islam Khan from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-bangladesh-election-results-will-impact-its-ties-with-india-186618">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)</a> as saying.&nbsp;

Furthermore, BNP`s Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "His behaviour was discourteous," while referring to the CEC.&nbsp;

The alliance later called a presser on Tuesday night and demanded the CEC`s resignation and pushed for the appointment of a "neutral person" so that a free and fair election is conducted.&nbsp;

Kamal Hossain led the Front`s delegation at the meeting yesterday and put forth their concerns regarding the violence against leaders and party workers from the opposition in the run-up to Sunday`s elections.&nbsp;

He also complained about police action and mentioned that a few members from the police forces were acting like "beasts".

"You cannot label a force in such a way. Whatever police are doing are within the legal framework. Who do you think you are?" the CEC told Hossain in response.&nbsp;

The opposition front also called for the withdrawal of four police officials during Tuesday`s meeting.&nbsp;

Furthermore, it also claimed that the police refused to give them protection in the wake of violence initiated against them by rival parties.&nbsp;

The CEC rejected all allegations against the police forces, leading to the walk-out and the subsequent demand for resignation.&nbsp;

Merely four days before the 11th General Elections, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias.

Merely four days before the 11th General Elections, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias. This comes in the aftermath of a delegation belonging to the alliance walking out of a meeting with the CEC, KM Nurul Huda, on December 25 over the latter`s "discourteous" behaviour. "When we began to complain about the police role, he [CEC] took their side. We Don`t expect such behaviour" The Daily Star quoted Nazrul Islam Khan from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as saying. Furthermore, BNP`s Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "His behaviour was discourteous," while referring to the CEC. The alliance later called a presser on Tuesday night and demanded the CEC`s resignation and pushed for the appointment of a "neutral person" so that a free and fair election is conducted. Kamal Hossain led the Front`s delegation at the meeting yesterday and put forth their concerns regarding the violence against leaders and party workers from the opposition in the run-up to Sunday`s elections. He also complained about police action and mentioned that a few members from the police forces were acting like "beasts". "You cannot label a force in such a way. Whatever police are doing are within the legal framework. Who do you think you are?" the CEC told Hossain in response. The opposition front also called for the withdrawal of four police officials during Tuesday`s meeting. Furthermore, it also claimed that the police refused to give them protection in the wake of violence initiated against them by rival parties. The CEC rejected all allegations against the police forces, leading to the walk-out and the subsequent demand for resignation.

Bangladesh poll: Opposition calls for CEC KM Nurul Huda's resignation

WION Dispatch: Thousands of troops deployed in Bangladesh ahead of general elections

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