Western powers on Tuesday condemned election day violence in Bangladesh and described a range of other irregularities that marred a vote in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance secured more than 90 per cent of parliamentary seats.

The strongly-worded assessments from the UK, European Union, and the United States could hit the image of Hasina, who won a third straight term to power following Sunday's election.

Hasina's opponents have rejected the election result, citing what they describe as widespread rigging and voter intimidation. She has denied impropriety, calling it a peaceful vote that saw enthusiastic participation from her supporters.

The capital Dhaka was quiet on Tuesday, but the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said its workers were being attacked in several areas elsewhere in the country by activists of the Awami League - charges the party denied.

"Violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote," the EU said in a statement, calling for "a proper examination of allegations of irregularities".

The United States, Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor, expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely."

"We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process," it said.

The UK's Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field echoed the concerns, saying he was "aware of credible accounts of obstacles, including arrests, that constrained or prevented campaigning by opposition parties. "I urge a full, credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of the elections," he said.

Police say at least 17 people were killed in election day clashes between supporters and opponents of Hasina's Awami League. The two sides, which have competed for power often violently for decades, traded blame for the election day unrest.

Opposition BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said he was collecting reports of rigging to submit to the Election Commission to demand a fresh vote. The commission already rejected that plea, but Islam said: “What is our alternative?”

Journalist arrested

One journalist was arrested and another was on the run after a local government official filed a case against them for publishing "false information" about election irregularities, under new law journalists say could be used to stifle dissent.

Hedayet Hussain Mollah and Rashidul Islam published reports saying more votes had been cast at one constituency in the southeastern Khulna region than the total number of registered voters there.

They were accused under the Digital Security Act enacted in September. Mollah was picked up by police on Tuesday afternoon while Islam was on the run, police said.

"This is false information that was made intentionally to make the election result look questionable and controversial," a police report said.

The deadly clashes on a voting day marked the end of a violent campaign. The opposition said its workers faced arbitrary arrests and candidates were attacked by ruling party activists. The ruling party denied being behind any violence.

“People have shared experiences of being physically assaulted and manhandled at polling stations,” said Saad Hammadi, Amnesty International's regional campaigner for South Asia, calling for an impartial probe into incidents of violence.

Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Zia Khaleda. Khaleda was jailed in February for corruption.

The strongly-worded assessments from the UK, European Union, and the United States could hit the image of Hasina, who won a third straight term to power following Sunday's election.

Western powers on Tuesday condemned election day violence in Bangladesh and described a range of other irregularities that marred a vote in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance secured more than 90 per cent of parliamentary seats. The strongly-worded assessments from the UK, European Union, and the United States could hit the image of Hasina, who won a third straight term to power following Sunday's election. Hasina's opponents have rejected the election result, citing what they describe as widespread rigging and voter intimidation. She has denied impropriety, calling it a peaceful vote that saw enthusiastic participation from her supporters. The capital Dhaka was quiet on Tuesday, but the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said its workers were being attacked in several areas elsewhere in the country by activists of the Awami League - charges the party denied. "Violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote," the EU said in a statement, calling for "a proper examination of allegations of irregularities". The United States, Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor, expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely." "We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process," it said. The UK's Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field echoed the concerns, saying he was "aware of credible accounts of obstacles, including arrests, that constrained or prevented campaigning by opposition parties. "I urge a full, credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of the elections," he said. Police say at least 17 people were killed in election day clashes between supporters and opponents of Hasina's Awami League. The two sides, which have competed for power often violently for decades, traded blame for the election day unrest. Opposition BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said he was collecting reports of rigging to submit to the Election Commission to demand a fresh vote. The commission already rejected that plea, but Islam said: “What is our alternative?” Journalist arrested One journalist was arrested and another was on the run after a local government official filed a case against them for publishing "false information" about election irregularities, under new law journalists say could be used to stifle dissent. Hedayet Hussain Mollah and Rashidul Islam published reports saying more votes had been cast at one constituency in the southeastern Khulna region than the total number of registered voters there. They were accused under the Digital Security Act enacted in September. Mollah was picked up by police on Tuesday afternoon while Islam was on the run, police said. "This is false information that was made intentionally to make the election result look questionable and controversial," a police report said. The deadly clashes on a voting day marked the end of a violent campaign. The opposition said its workers faced arbitrary arrests and candidates were attacked by ruling party activists. The ruling party denied being behind any violence. “People have shared experiences of being physically assaulted and manhandled at polling stations,” said Saad Hammadi, Amnesty International's regional campaigner for South Asia, calling for an impartial probe into incidents of violence. Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Zia Khaleda. Khaleda was jailed in February for corruption.

Western powers call for probe into Bangladesh election irregularities, violence

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a third consecutive term as the country's premiere on Sunday -- a win that wasn't just predictable but also in favour of India's vision of fostering ties with the South Asian nation.&nbsp;

Bangladesh's socio-economic development flourished a great deal under Hasina's decade-long rule and so was the case with the deepening relationship with neighbouring India.&nbsp;

PM Hasina's continuance in power is strategically important for India as her definitive stand on Islamic fundamentalists and extremists echoes with India's security interests.

PM Hasina's leadership has also maintained a sensitive stance toward India’s concerns about the northeast militancy fostered by ISI-backed Islamists operating from Bangladesh during the opposition BNP-Jamaat regime. With PM Hasina assuming power a decade ago, a serious crackdown was initiated which led to a considerable reduction of militancy in Northeastern states like Tripura and Meghalaya.&nbsp;

High-level visits from both sides led to steady growth in the Indo-Bangladesh ties. Last year, the two countries launched a series of developmental projects while complicated issues of land and coastal boundaries were resolved.

The construction of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line and the restoration of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of railway line were the highlights among all initiatives jointly taken by PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart in 2018.

The two countries also inaugurated the construction of a 130-km Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline between Siliguri in West Bengal and Parbatipur in Dinajpur. However, the issue of Teesta water sharing issue remained unresolved.

But China's play in&nbsp;South Asia's political dynamics cannot be ruled out. China is Bangladesh’s major trading partner and the latter is one of the important determinants in former's key Belt and Road plan.&nbsp;

Earlier last month, a Chinese-Bangladeshi joint venture signed a deal with the Bangladeshi government to build a mega expressway. The project has been pegged as Bangladesh's first major public-private partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at boosting the nation's economic and infrastructural development and promote employment, a Chinese media report stated.&nbsp;

With PM Hasina in for another term, political analysts and experts predict India-Bangladesh ties to further flourish. However, the immediate task at hand for New Delhi is to keep Dhaka away from making any binary choices, especially with China's growing power and influence in South Asia.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a third consecutive term as the country's premiere on Sunday -- a win that wasn't just predictable but also in favour of India's vision of fostering ties with the South Asian nation.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a third consecutive term as the country's premiere on Sunday -- a win that wasn't just predictable but also in favour of India's vision of fostering ties with the South Asian nation. Bangladesh's socio-economic development flourished a great deal under Hasina's decade-long rule and so was the case with the deepening relationship with neighbouring India. PM Hasina's continuance in power is strategically important for India as her definitive stand on Islamic fundamentalists and extremists echoes with India's security interests. PM Hasina's leadership has also maintained a sensitive stance toward India’s concerns about the northeast militancy fostered by ISI-backed Islamists operating from Bangladesh during the opposition BNP-Jamaat regime. With PM Hasina assuming power a decade ago, a serious crackdown was initiated which led to a considerable reduction of militancy in Northeastern states like Tripura and Meghalaya. High-level visits from both sides led to steady growth in the Indo-Bangladesh ties. Last year, the two countries launched a series of developmental projects while complicated issues of land and coastal boundaries were resolved. The construction of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line and the restoration of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of railway line were the highlights among all initiatives jointly taken by PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart in 2018. The two countries also inaugurated the construction of a 130-km Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline between Siliguri in West Bengal and Parbatipur in Dinajpur. However, the issue of Teesta water sharing issue remained unresolved. But China's play in South Asia's political dynamics cannot be ruled out. China is Bangladesh’s major trading partner and the latter is one of the important determinants in former's key Belt and Road plan. Earlier last month, a Chinese-Bangladeshi joint venture signed a deal with the Bangladeshi government to build a mega expressway. The project has been pegged as Bangladesh's first major public-private partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at boosting the nation's economic and infrastructural development and promote employment, a Chinese media report stated. With PM Hasina in for another term, political analysts and experts predict India-Bangladesh ties to further flourish. However, the immediate task at hand for New Delhi is to keep Dhaka away from making any binary choices, especially with China's growing power and influence in South Asia. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With eye on China, New Delhi needs to keep Dhaka away from making binary choices

Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Jatiya Oikya Front (National Unity Front) lost the 11th General Elections of the country as the alliance was indulging in "criminal activities".

While speaking to journalists and foreign observers at her 'Ganabhaban' residence, Hasina said that the opposition alliance won fewer seats in the polls as they did not nominate eligible candidates, according to Bangladeshi media reports.

Hasina's Awami League-led Grand Alliance, which includes 14 parties in total, won 288 seats out of 300 seats, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP helmed Jatiya Oikya Front"&gt;Jatiya Oikya Front suffered a massive rout by bagging only seven seats in total, according to The Daily Star.

She said that the people of Bangladesh have reposed their faith in the Awami League and voted for the party again because of various development works carried out by her government.

Responding to allegations of rigging and ballot stuffing, Hasina said that she advocated for a transparent manner of voting as the people would feel free to exercise their franchise.

Polling for the 11th General Elections began at early morning on Sunday at around 8 am and continued till 4 pm in the evening.

Despite tight security arrangements, violence was reported from various pockets of Bangladesh claiming 18 lives in total and injuring around 200 people.&nbsp; 
Moreover, nine people were arrested in poll-related violence from across the nation.

As the counting process was underway on Sunday and showed Hasina's party leading the way, the Jatiya Oikya Front called the polls a "farce", alleging that it was completely rigged, demanding re-election.&nbsp;

However, the Bangladesh Election Commission rejected their claims, ruling out any chance of re-election. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Jatiya Oikya Front (National Unity Front) lost the 11th General Elections of the country as the alliance was indulging in "criminal activities".

Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina on Monday said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led Jatiya Oikya Front (National Unity Front) lost the 11th General Elections of the country as the alliance was indulging in "criminal activities". While speaking to journalists and foreign observers at her 'Ganabhaban' residence, Hasina said that the opposition alliance won fewer seats in the polls as they did not nominate eligible candidates, according to Bangladeshi media reports. Hasina's Awami League-led Grand Alliance, which includes 14 parties in total, won 288 seats out of 300 seats, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP helmed Jatiya Oikya Front">Jatiya Oikya Front suffered a massive rout by bagging only seven seats in total, according to The Daily Star. She said that the people of Bangladesh have reposed their faith in the Awami League and voted for the party again because of various development works carried out by her government. Responding to allegations of rigging and ballot stuffing, Hasina said that she advocated for a transparent manner of voting as the people would feel free to exercise their franchise. Polling for the 11th General Elections began at early morning on Sunday at around 8 am and continued till 4 pm in the evening. Despite tight security arrangements, violence was reported from various pockets of Bangladesh claiming 18 lives in total and injuring around 200 people. Moreover, nine people were arrested in poll-related violence from across the nation. As the counting process was underway on Sunday and showed Hasina's party leading the way, the Jatiya Oikya Front called the polls a "farce", alleging that it was completely rigged, demanding re-election. However, the Bangladesh Election Commission rejected their claims, ruling out any chance of re-election.

National Unity Front lost due to 'criminal activities': Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

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

Bangladesh's iron lady<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasinas-party-registers-landslide-victory-in-parliamentary-polls-187416"> Sheikh Hasina, who won a historic fourth term as prime minister </a>becoming the country's longest-serving leader, is credited by her supporters for the Muslim-majority nation's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dhaka-residents-hope-for-development-after-sheikh-hasina-election-win-187457">impressive economic growth</a>, but her opponents see her as an authoritarian who stifled the Opposition.

Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won the 11th parliamentary elections with a landslide victory even as the Opposition rejected the "farcical" polls marred with violence that claimed 18 lives, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country.

The 71-year-old chief of the Awami League was pitted against a united opposition Jatiya Oikya Front (United National Front) led by octogenarian Kamal Hossain, an Oxford-educated jurist and former foreign minister.

Her arch-rival ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who has been serving a 17-year sentence for corruption, was barred from contesting the polls.

Born on September 28, 1947 at her parental home of Tungipara in northern Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), Hasina is the eldest among the five children of Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh.

Hasina married nuclear scientist M A Wazed Miah in 1968. Her husband died in 2009. They have one son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and one daughter, Saima Wazed Hossain Putul.&nbsp;

Though she took active interest in politics throughout her student life, Hasina formally joined the Awami League as its leader following the tragic assassination of Rahman, his wife and three sons in 1975.

While living in self-exile with her husband in India, Hasina was elected the president of the Awami League in 1981, and since then she has been the president of the party.

Ending six years in exile, she returned home on May 17, 1981. In 1983, Hasina formed an alliance to oust military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad.&nbsp;

Hasina joined forces with Zia's BNP to help oust the military dictator in 1990 but the two soon fell out and their rivalry is popularly known as the "Battle of Begums".

Hasina and Zia, the 73-year-old widow of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, share a long and bitter rivalry and have alternated in power for most of the past 28 years.&nbsp;

Hasina was first elected prime minister in 1996 after defeating her arch-rival Zia, who eventually regained power in 2001.

She was the first democratically elected prime minister of the country to complete the term.&nbsp;

In 2008, Hasina returned as the prime minister with a landslide victory. In January 2014, she became the prime minister for a third term in an unopposed election as BNP boycotted the polls.

She has been in power ever since, presiding over economic expansion of more than six per cent every year since 2009.&nbsp;

Since she took power in 2008, Bangladesh's per capita income has seen a threefold increase. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) stood at USD 250 billion in 2017 and it clocked a growth rate of 7.28 percent last year. 
 
The garment industry has emerged as one of the main pillars of the economy, providing jobs to 4.5 million people.&nbsp;

Hasina has been praised by her supporters for cracking down on Islamist extremists after five homegrown terrorists stormed a Dhaka cafe in 2016, killing 20 hostages, including one Indian.

She also launched trials of the powerful Islamist opposition over crimes committed during the 1971 independence war.&nbsp;

Her critics, however, have described her as an authoritarian since she pushed on with an uncontested general election in 2014.

Her opponents accuse her of crushing the opposition and creating a one-party dominant political system in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Hasina will serve as the prime minister for the fourth term - a record for any Bangladeshi leader since the country came into existence in 1971.&nbsp;

Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won the 11th parliamentary elections with a landslide victory.

Bangladesh's iron lady Sheikh Hasina, who won a historic fourth term as prime minister becoming the country's longest-serving leader, is credited by her supporters for the Muslim-majority nation's impressive economic growth, but her opponents see her as an authoritarian who stifled the Opposition. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won the 11th parliamentary elections with a landslide victory even as the Opposition rejected the "farcical" polls marred with violence that claimed 18 lives, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country. The 71-year-old chief of the Awami League was pitted against a united opposition Jatiya Oikya Front (United National Front) led by octogenarian Kamal Hossain, an Oxford-educated jurist and former foreign minister. Her arch-rival ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who has been serving a 17-year sentence for corruption, was barred from contesting the polls. Born on September 28, 1947 at her parental home of Tungipara in northern Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), Hasina is the eldest among the five children of Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. Hasina married nuclear scientist M A Wazed Miah in 1968. Her husband died in 2009. They have one son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and one daughter, Saima Wazed Hossain Putul. Though she took active interest in politics throughout her student life, Hasina formally joined the Awami League as its leader following the tragic assassination of Rahman, his wife and three sons in 1975. While living in self-exile with her husband in India, Hasina was elected the president of the Awami League in 1981, and since then she has been the president of the party. Ending six years in exile, she returned home on May 17, 1981. In 1983, Hasina formed an alliance to oust military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Hasina joined forces with Zia's BNP to help oust the military dictator in 1990 but the two soon fell out and their rivalry is popularly known as the "Battle of Begums". Hasina and Zia, the 73-year-old widow of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, share a long and bitter rivalry and have alternated in power for most of the past 28 years. Hasina was first elected prime minister in 1996 after defeating her arch-rival Zia, who eventually regained power in 2001. She was the first democratically elected prime minister of the country to complete the term. In 2008, Hasina returned as the prime minister with a landslide victory. In January 2014, she became the prime minister for a third term in an unopposed election as BNP boycotted the polls. She has been in power ever since, presiding over economic expansion of more than six per cent every year since 2009. Since she took power in 2008, Bangladesh's per capita income has seen a threefold increase. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) stood at USD 250 billion in 2017 and it clocked a growth rate of 7.28 percent last year. The garment industry has emerged as one of the main pillars of the economy, providing jobs to 4.5 million people. Hasina has been praised by her supporters for cracking down on Islamist extremists after five homegrown terrorists stormed a Dhaka cafe in 2016, killing 20 hostages, including one Indian. She also launched trials of the powerful Islamist opposition over crimes committed during the 1971 independence war. Her critics, however, have described her as an authoritarian since she pushed on with an uncontested general election in 2014. Her opponents accuse her of crushing the opposition and creating a one-party dominant political system in Bangladesh. Hasina will serve as the prime minister for the fourth term - a record for any Bangladeshi leader since the country came into existence in 1971.

Sheikh Hasina: Growth-oriented 'iron lady' for some, 'authoritarian' for others

Dhaka residents woke up on Monday to the news of Bangladesh Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasinas-party-registers-landslide-victory-in-parliamentary-polls-187416">Sheikh Hasina's election victory</a> giving her a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as rigged.

Local residents reading the morning newspapers said they were happy with the result and looked forward to the country further developing under Hasina's leadership.

Hasina's win consolidated her decade-long rule over Bangladesh, where she is credited with improving the economy and promoting development but has also been accused of rampant human rights abuses, a crackdown on the media and suppressing dissent. She denies such charges.

Opposition leader Kamal Hossain said their alliance, the National Unity Front led by the BNP, had called on the Election Commission to order a fresh vote under a neutral administration "as soon as possible", alleging Sunday's poll was flawed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance won Bangladesh's election with a thumping majority, giving her a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as rigged.

The alliance dominated by her Awami League, seen as close to regional power India, won 287 of the 298 seats for which results have been declared, the commission said. There are 300 constituencies in the country.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which boycotted the last poll in 2014, won just six seats.

Raising minimum wages for workers in Bangladesh's massive garments industry, the world's second biggest after China, could be one of her first tasks after she takes office, party leaders have said. Hasina will meet foreign journalists and poll observers at her official residence later on Monday.

Dhaka residents woke up on Monday to the news of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's election victory giving her a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as rigged.

Dhaka residents woke up on Monday to the news of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's election victory giving her a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as rigged. Local residents reading the morning newspapers said they were happy with the result and looked forward to the country further developing under Hasina's leadership. Hasina's win consolidated her decade-long rule over Bangladesh, where she is credited with improving the economy and promoting development but has also been accused of rampant human rights abuses, a crackdown on the media and suppressing dissent. She denies such charges. Opposition leader Kamal Hossain said their alliance, the National Unity Front led by the BNP, had called on the Election Commission to order a fresh vote under a neutral administration "as soon as possible", alleging Sunday's poll was flawed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance won Bangladesh's election with a thumping majority, giving her a third straight term following a vote that the opposition rejected as rigged. The alliance dominated by her Awami League, seen as close to regional power India, won 287 of the 298 seats for which results have been declared, the commission said. There are 300 constituencies in the country. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which boycotted the last poll in 2014, won just six seats. Raising minimum wages for workers in Bangladesh's massive garments industry, the world's second biggest after China, could be one of her first tasks after she takes office, party leaders have said. Hasina will meet foreign journalists and poll observers at her official residence later on Monday.

Dhaka residents hope for development after PM Sheikh Hasina's election win

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

The initial trends of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-bangladesh-some-voters-allege-being-barred-from-polling-booths-187366">election results</a> which remained marred by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-probes-vote-rigging-allegations-in-election-hit-by-violence-187362">violent clashes</a> claiming 18 lives show that Awami League party president and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/for-bangladesh-pm-authoritarian-tag-is-badge-of-honour-son-says-on-poll-eve-187239">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> is all set to be back with a fourth term.&nbsp;

Voting for the 299 of the total 300 seats was held on Sunday between 8 am and 4 pm. Counting of votes began immediately after the polling ended.&nbsp;

Initial trends indicated a landslide victory for the Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returning to power.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Hasina had said that she was confident of winning this election.&nbsp;

“We are confident that we will win this election. Opposition parties resorted to violence and we have lost a lot of our party supporters. But, whatever the decision of the people, we will respect it. Whether we win or not, we will always work towards the development of the nation,” Hasina told reporters after casting her vote at Dhaka’s City College.&nbsp;

<img alt="bangladesh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13fd31e3-c81e-4703-8c1d-dfbca784987a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bangladesh%20voting.JPG" />

Law enforcement officials are seen on duty outside a voting centre during the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 30, 2018. ( Reuters Photo)

Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed echoed the words of his mothers and urged young voters to turn up in huge numbers. “We are confident that we are going to win. BNP-Jamaat has resorted to violence and killed our party supporters,” said Wazed.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the Jatiya Oikya Front or the National United Front lead by Dr Kamal Hossain called the election a ‘farce’ and demanded repolling.&nbsp;

“What we witnessed today was nothing but a farce. We demand cancellation of elections and repolls under a caretaker government. It’s unfortunate that in the 47th year of independence we are seeing an election like this. It’s even more unfortunate that I’m alive to see this kind of elections,” said Hossain.&nbsp;

Opposition parties cried foul and alleged that the ballot boxes were stuffed overnight and booths were captured by the ruling party cadres.&nbsp;

However, the chief election commissioner, Nurul Huda went on record to call the elections as ‘peaceful’ and ‘fair’.&nbsp;

While the capital city of Dhaka mostly remained peaceful, sporadic cases of violence were reported from other parts of Bangladesh.&nbsp;

As many as 18 people lost their lives, a majority of them were Awami League leaders and supporters.&nbsp;

Two innocent voters were caught in a crossfire and suffered bullet injuries. Hours later, both the civilians succumbed to their injuries.

The initial trends of the election results which remained marred by violent clashes claiming 18 lives show that Awami League party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is all set to be back with a fourth term.

The initial trends of the election results which remained marred by violent clashes claiming 18 lives show that Awami League party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is all set to be back with a fourth term. Voting for the 299 of the total 300 seats was held on Sunday between 8 am and 4 pm. Counting of votes began immediately after the polling ended. Initial trends indicated a landslide victory for the Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returning to power. Earlier in the day, Hasina had said that she was confident of winning this election. “We are confident that we will win this election. Opposition parties resorted to violence and we have lost a lot of our party supporters. But, whatever the decision of the people, we will respect it. Whether we win or not, we will always work towards the development of the nation,” Hasina told reporters after casting her vote at Dhaka’s City College. Law enforcement officials are seen on duty outside a voting centre during the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 30, 2018. ( Reuters Photo) Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed echoed the words of his mothers and urged young voters to turn up in huge numbers. “We are confident that we are going to win. BNP-Jamaat has resorted to violence and killed our party supporters,” said Wazed. On the other hand, the Jatiya Oikya Front or the National United Front lead by Dr Kamal Hossain called the election a ‘farce’ and demanded repolling. “What we witnessed today was nothing but a farce. We demand cancellation of elections and repolls under a caretaker government. It’s unfortunate that in the 47th year of independence we are seeing an election like this. It’s even more unfortunate that I’m alive to see this kind of elections,” said Hossain. Opposition parties cried foul and alleged that the ballot boxes were stuffed overnight and booths were captured by the ruling party cadres. However, the chief election commissioner, Nurul Huda went on record to call the elections as ‘peaceful’ and ‘fair’. While the capital city of Dhaka mostly remained peaceful, sporadic cases of violence were reported from other parts of Bangladesh. As many as 18 people lost their lives, a majority of them were Awami League leaders and supporters. Two innocent voters were caught in a crossfire and suffered bullet injuries. Hours later, both the civilians succumbed to their injuries.

Bangladesh elections: PM Hasina set to win record fourth term; opposition rejects polls, demands fresh vote

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-probes-vote-rigging-allegations-in-election-hit-by-violence-187362">Bangladesh Sunday deployed </a>electronic voting machines for the first time in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-close-in-bangladesh-election-marred-by-violence-12-dead-187346">a general election</a>, though only on a limited scale, a move which received mixed responses from the voters amid reports of glitches in some booths.

Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago.

Voting for the 11th national election began with the machines being used in the six seats selected through a lottery. These are Dhaka-6, Dhaka-13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2. The six seats comprise over 2.1 million voters. The results from these six seats could be announced within hours after the voting ends, Bangladeshi media&nbsp;reported.

Electronic voting machines created problems across different voting centres in Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-6, slowing down voting process and leading to long queues, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Voters in some areas have reported facing trouble when the machines could not recognise their fingerprints, BDnews24.Com reported.

Dhaka-13 voter Jagat Dashi Mondol, a septuagenarian, was smiling as she came out of the polling centre at Mohammadpur's Borabo Government Primary School.

When asked about how she felt using an EVM, said, "easy, very easy."

The polling centre's Presiding Officer Jayanta Chandra Deb said he replaced three EVMs when they stopped working.

Nazrul Islam, a retired engineer, said his fingerprint was not matching when he went to vote at the polling centre in Lalmatia Mohila College.

"But I got to vote using my voter ID. It didn't take much time."

Gazi Hossain, a former librarian of Lalmatia Mohila College, was unhappy with the EVM because of the time wasted in trying to match his fingerprint in the machine. "It wasn't matching, so it took more time, that's a problem," he said.

Bimal Chandra, a retired teacher, voted using EVM at the Mohammadpur Chand Community Centre.

"I just pressed two buttons on the EVM. One on the poll symbol, then another on a green button. It takes roughly ten seconds. It takes more time to be marked on the thumb with ink.

"It takes just 20 minutes to count the votes from EVM centres. This is good," said Chandra.

On December 27, the Election Commission organised mock voting at selected polling centres to educate voters on how to use EVMs.

The EVM technology is being used for the first time at the national election level, eight years after being introduced in local government elections in the country.

The machines were first used in the Chittagong City Corporation election of June 2010. However, the Election Commission stopped using the technology in 2015 due to some errors. The machines were later reintroduced in the Rangpur City Corporation election in 2016.

During this year's city corporation polls, EVMs were used in three polling centres in Khulna City Corporation with 10,000 voters; two centres in Sylhet City Corporation with 5,413 voters; 11 centres in Barishal City Corporation with 25,000 voters; and two centres in Rajshahi City Corporation with 3,383 voters, the Daily Star reported.

During the Election Commission's electoral dialogues, most of the 40 registered parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former premier Khalida Zia and its allies, opposed the idea of using EVMs in the election.

However, five political parties, including the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, its allies Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal faction led by Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (M-L) and Zaker Party supported the use of EVMs.

The BNP has all along been opposing the EC move, alleging that this might facilitate "the government's plan for election engineering".

The Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) imported parts of the EVMs and assembled them in Bangladesh ahead of the general election, media reports said.

"The EVM fingerprint scanner will be imported from America while Apple will supply the monitors. Other parts of the EVM machine will be imported from different countries," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Brig Gen Mohammad Saidul Islam, director general of the Election Commission's National Identity Registration Wing, as saying in September.&nbsp;

Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago.

Bangladesh Sunday deployed electronic voting machines for the first time in a general election, though only on a limited scale, a move which received mixed responses from the voters amid reports of glitches in some booths. Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago. Voting for the 11th national election began with the machines being used in the six seats selected through a lottery. These are Dhaka-6, Dhaka-13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2. The six seats comprise over 2.1 million voters. The results from these six seats could be announced within hours after the voting ends, Bangladeshi media reported. Electronic voting machines created problems across different voting centres in Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-6, slowing down voting process and leading to long queues, the Daily Star newspaper reported. Voters in some areas have reported facing trouble when the machines could not recognise their fingerprints, BDnews24.Com reported. Dhaka-13 voter Jagat Dashi Mondol, a septuagenarian, was smiling as she came out of the polling centre at Mohammadpur's Borabo Government Primary School. When asked about how she felt using an EVM, said, "easy, very easy." The polling centre's Presiding Officer Jayanta Chandra Deb said he replaced three EVMs when they stopped working. Nazrul Islam, a retired engineer, said his fingerprint was not matching when he went to vote at the polling centre in Lalmatia Mohila College. "But I got to vote using my voter ID. It didn't take much time." Gazi Hossain, a former librarian of Lalmatia Mohila College, was unhappy with the EVM because of the time wasted in trying to match his fingerprint in the machine. "It wasn't matching, so it took more time, that's a problem," he said. Bimal Chandra, a retired teacher, voted using EVM at the Mohammadpur Chand Community Centre. "I just pressed two buttons on the EVM. One on the poll symbol, then another on a green button. It takes roughly ten seconds. It takes more time to be marked on the thumb with ink. "It takes just 20 minutes to count the votes from EVM centres. This is good," said Chandra. On December 27, the Election Commission organised mock voting at selected polling centres to educate voters on how to use EVMs. The EVM technology is being used for the first time at the national election level, eight years after being introduced in local government elections in the country. The machines were first used in the Chittagong City Corporation election of June 2010. However, the Election Commission stopped using the technology in 2015 due to some errors. The machines were later reintroduced in the Rangpur City Corporation election in 2016. During this year's city corporation polls, EVMs were used in three polling centres in Khulna City Corporation with 10,000 voters; two centres in Sylhet City Corporation with 5,413 voters; 11 centres in Barishal City Corporation with 25,000 voters; and two centres in Rajshahi City Corporation with 3,383 voters, the Daily Star reported. During the Election Commission's electoral dialogues, most of the 40 registered parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former premier Khalida Zia and its allies, opposed the idea of using EVMs in the election. However, five political parties, including the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, its allies Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal faction led by Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (M-L) and Zaker Party supported the use of EVMs. The BNP has all along been opposing the EC move, alleging that this might facilitate "the government's plan for election engineering". The Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) imported parts of the EVMs and assembled them in Bangladesh ahead of the general election, media reports said. "The EVM fingerprint scanner will be imported from America while Apple will supply the monitors. Other parts of the EVM machine will be imported from different countries," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Brig Gen Mohammad Saidul Islam, director general of the Election Commission's National Identity Registration Wing, as saying in September.

Bangladesh uses EVMs for first time in general election

At least<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-probes-vote-rigging-allegations-in-election-hit-by-violence-187362"> three voters in southeast Bangladesh</a>, including a journalist, told Reuters on Sunday that they were barred from entering polling booths or were told their ballot papers had already been filled in, hours after voting began in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-polls-ten-killed-in-election-day-clashes-following-violent-campaign-187334">nation's general election.</a>

The journalist, who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals, said activists of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party in Chittagong, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-close-in-bangladesh-election-marred-by-violence-12-dead-187346">Bangladesh's</a> second-largest city, warned him and other voters at the polling centre not to go inside.

"They said we didn't need to go inside as our votes had already been cast," the journalist told Reuters by phone, adding that there were five other voters around him at the time at the polling centre set up at the national primary school in Chittagong's Kotwali area.

"I am hearing the same thing happening at several other polling booths in Chittagong," the journalist said.

His comments add to accusations by several leaders of the country's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who have alleged rigging and vote manipulation by the Awami League.

The Awami League said opposition supporters were wrongly accusing the party.

The Election Commission said it had received complaints of rigging that it was investigating. "Allegations are coming from across the country and those are under investigation," the agency's spokesman SM Asaduzzaman said. “If we get any confirmation from our own channels then measures will be taken as per rules”.

At least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in political clashes on Sunday by the time voting ended at 1000 hours GMT. At least six candidates of the opposition National Unity Front alliance said they had pulled out alleging rigging.

When Rasel, a 34-year-old voter in Chittagong, went down to the polling centre set up at a local polytechnic college in his area, he said about 30 people stopped him from entering the booth. He knew at least one of them was an Awami League activist, he said.

"They told me that 'voting is going on nicely, you don’t need to go inside'. If you try to enter, you will be in trouble'," Rasel, who declined to give his second name fearing reprisals, told Reuters by phone. He turned back without voting.

Hasina has promised to conduct a "free and fair" election and earlier this month said in a public speech that she would not try to win the election using "unfair means." She is seeking a third straight term in power.

At a polling centre in the Umkhali south of Chittagong, a cab driver named Ali said his family had to turn back from the polling centre as ruling party workers there told them their votes had already been cast.

"I am very disappointed that there will not be a fair result in this election," he told Reuters by phone.

'They said we didn't need to go inside as our votes had already been cast,' a journalist told Reuters by phone.

At least three voters in southeast Bangladesh, including a journalist, told Reuters on Sunday that they were barred from entering polling booths or were told their ballot papers had already been filled in, hours after voting began in the nation's general election. The journalist, who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals, said activists of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party in Chittagong, Bangladesh's second-largest city, warned him and other voters at the polling centre not to go inside. "They said we didn't need to go inside as our votes had already been cast," the journalist told Reuters by phone, adding that there were five other voters around him at the time at the polling centre set up at the national primary school in Chittagong's Kotwali area. "I am hearing the same thing happening at several other polling booths in Chittagong," the journalist said. His comments add to accusations by several leaders of the country's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who have alleged rigging and vote manipulation by the Awami League. The Awami League said opposition supporters were wrongly accusing the party. The Election Commission said it had received complaints of rigging that it was investigating. "Allegations are coming from across the country and those are under investigation," the agency's spokesman SM Asaduzzaman said. “If we get any confirmation from our own channels then measures will be taken as per rules”. At least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in political clashes on Sunday by the time voting ended at 1000 hours GMT. At least six candidates of the opposition National Unity Front alliance said they had pulled out alleging rigging. When Rasel, a 34-year-old voter in Chittagong, went down to the polling centre set up at a local polytechnic college in his area, he said about 30 people stopped him from entering the booth. He knew at least one of them was an Awami League activist, he said. "They told me that 'voting is going on nicely, you don’t need to go inside'. If you try to enter, you will be in trouble'," Rasel, who declined to give his second name fearing reprisals, told Reuters by phone. He turned back without voting. Hasina has promised to conduct a "free and fair" election and earlier this month said in a public speech that she would not try to win the election using "unfair means." She is seeking a third straight term in power. At a polling centre in the Umkhali south of Chittagong, a cab driver named Ali said his family had to turn back from the polling centre as ruling party workers there told them their votes had already been cast. "I am very disappointed that there will not be a fair result in this election," he told Reuters by phone.

Didn't need to go inside, votes already been filled in: Voters in Bangladesh allege being barred from polling

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

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

Bangladeshi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/its-not-between-sheikh-hasina-and-me-its-about-politics-of-value-kamal-hossain-187073">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina </a>considers being called authoritarian by the western media a "badge of honour", the leader's son told Reuters on the eve of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">national election</a> on Sunday.

Hasina, who is widely expected to win a third <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshs-battling-begums-fight-for-survival-in-2018-187097">straight term in office</a>, has been hailed domestically for fast economic growth in the past decade and internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

But her government has been accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics, including many supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws against them.

Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed, however, told Reuters there was space for dissent in the Muslim-majority country of 165 million people, and that the Western media was unfair in its portrayal of his mother.

"You know what my mother told me this morning? 'Branded authoritarian by the Western media now is a badge of honour'" Wazed, who lives in Washington D.C. and runs an IT business in the United States, said in the prime minister's official residence in Dhaka.

"Don't you see anti-government posts on Facebook? Do you not see that? You are free to write whatever you want but you are not free to hurt someone. If you write something false and that causes an attack on someone, should there be no consequences?"

He said the ruling party would reconsider a tough new media law it introduced and another it has tightened if it retains power.

The 47-year-old, who entered politics reluctantly and has declined to take a senior position in the ruling Awami League, said he was not keen on becoming prime minister.

"Anything is possible, but interested? No. Possible perhaps, but only time will tell," said Wazed, who is also the information and communication technology adviser to the prime minister.

Opposition, industries

The BNP, which is fighting this election as part of an alliance after boycotting the last one in 2014, says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the alliance have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period.

The Awami League has denied any role in the violence.

Wazed dismissed accusations that the ruling party had "manipulated" police and the judiciary to get BNP chief and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia jailed in February on corruption charges to weaken the opposition before the election.

Khaleda's son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman, who lives in exile in London, faces imprisonment if he returns home after a court in October sentenced him to life in jail over an alleged plot to assassinate Hasina in 2004, when she was in the opposition. He denies any such plot.

"If courts and police are manipulated why did it take a decade to convict Khaleda Zia and her son? Why did it take us so long?" said Wazed, who speaks with a U.S. accent.

He said if the Awami League formed another government, it would look at raising the minimum wage for workers in the garments industry, which generates sales of more than $30 billion a year and is the biggest after China's. It only recently raised the level for the first time in five years, though workers have asked for more.

But he said the ultimate goal was to divert some of the garment workers to mobile phone and electronics manufacturing. He said South Korea's Samsung Electronics had already started a mobile phone assembly plant in Bangladesh and its South Korean rival LG had acquired land to open an electronics assembly plant.

"Our goal is to move up the value chain," he said. "We don't want to stay stuck on the garments sector."

Sheikh Hasina has been hailed domestically for fast economic growth in the past decade and internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considers being called authoritarian by the western media a "badge of honour", the leader's son told Reuters on the eve of a national election on Sunday. Hasina, who is widely expected to win a third straight term in office, has been hailed domestically for fast economic growth in the past decade and internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar. But her government has been accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics, including many supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws against them. Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed, however, told Reuters there was space for dissent in the Muslim-majority country of 165 million people, and that the Western media was unfair in its portrayal of his mother. "You know what my mother told me this morning? 'Branded authoritarian by the Western media now is a badge of honour'" Wazed, who lives in Washington D.C. and runs an IT business in the United States, said in the prime minister's official residence in Dhaka. "Don't you see anti-government posts on Facebook? Do you not see that? You are free to write whatever you want but you are not free to hurt someone. If you write something false and that causes an attack on someone, should there be no consequences?" He said the ruling party would reconsider a tough new media law it introduced and another it has tightened if it retains power. The 47-year-old, who entered politics reluctantly and has declined to take a senior position in the ruling Awami League, said he was not keen on becoming prime minister. "Anything is possible, but interested? No. Possible perhaps, but only time will tell," said Wazed, who is also the information and communication technology adviser to the prime minister. Opposition, industries The BNP, which is fighting this election as part of an alliance after boycotting the last one in 2014, says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the alliance have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period. The Awami League has denied any role in the violence. Wazed dismissed accusations that the ruling party had "manipulated" police and the judiciary to get BNP chief and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia jailed in February on corruption charges to weaken the opposition before the election. Khaleda's son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman, who lives in exile in London, faces imprisonment if he returns home after a court in October sentenced him to life in jail over an alleged plot to assassinate Hasina in 2004, when she was in the opposition. He denies any such plot. "If courts and police are manipulated why did it take a decade to convict Khaleda Zia and her son? Why did it take us so long?" said Wazed, who speaks with a U.S. accent. He said if the Awami League formed another government, it would look at raising the minimum wage for workers in the garments industry, which generates sales of more than $30 billion a year and is the biggest after China's. It only recently raised the level for the first time in five years, though workers have asked for more. But he said the ultimate goal was to divert some of the garment workers to mobile phone and electronics manufacturing. He said South Korea's Samsung Electronics had already started a mobile phone assembly plant in Bangladesh and its South Korean rival LG had acquired land to open an electronics assembly plant. "Our goal is to move up the value chain," he said. "We don't want to stay stuck on the garments sector."

For Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, authoritarian tag is 'badge of honour', says son Sajeeb Wazed

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

Bangladesh has a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/more-violence-and-arrests-of-opposition-activists-mars-bangaldesh-election-187035"> general election </a>this weekend, but opposition candidate Abdul Moyeen Khan says he is yet to hold a single public meeting in his constituency about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Dhaka, the capital.

Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Muslim majority nation's biggest opposition group, is fighting Sunday's election as part of an alliance cobbled together three months ago. But its leaders, candidates such as Khan, and workers say they are facing violent attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, that have stunted their ability to campaign.

Posters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League are plastered and hung up from utility poles across the country. But barely visible are those of its opponents, many of whom, including BNP chairperson and three-time premier Khaleda Zia, have been jailed on what the BNP calls trumped-up charges.

Not trusting Hasina to hold a fair election, the BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014. This time, it stayed in the race by banding together with smaller parties, but several BNP leaders say they are regretting that decision.

With over 100 million registered voters and 300 seats in parliament, this is one of the largest national elections anywhere in the world this year. But as campaigning came to an end on Friday, opposition leaders said they had barely stirred out of their homes.

"I am not even allowed to campaign, and they are threatening voters to stay away," Khan said at his home in Dhaka earlier this week, where he was visiting an assistant hospitalised after being assaulted.

In the first two days of this week, opposition workers in 88 constituencies had been attacked, Khan said. One candidate has sued police for shooting him eight times with pellet bullets while he was out seeking votes.

Hasina's Awami League, seeking a third straight term in power, has denied the allegations and blames the opposition for attacks that killed at least five of its workers and injured more than 300 in the past three weeks.

In a recent interview, Awami League leader HT&nbsp;Imam handed Reuters photographs of people he called opposition "thugs" vandalising shops, setting fire to vehicles, and burning Awami League posters in Dhaka in November.

Imam also listed steps Hasina had taken since coming to power to ensure free and fair elections, including strengthening the Election Commission, introducing see-through ballot boxes and empowering the police to act against political parties' use of money and muscle.

Divided election commission

Yet a rift has developed in the Election Commission, with Mahbub Talukdar, one of the five commissioners, saying last week there was no level playing field.

"It is not enough to hold a participatory election, it should also be free, fair and as per the law," Talukdar said in a statement on Wednesday.

His boss, Chief Election Commissioner KM&nbsp;Nurul Huda, has said Talukdar was lying and also rejected the opposition's allegations of bias. He did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking further comment. Police say they have been working under the orders of the Election Commission since last month.

More than 61 per cent of the opposition alliance's 287 candidates face criminal cases, compared with only around 7 per cent of the ruling party's 299, according to affidavits filed by candidates at the Election Commission that were analysed by the Dhaka-based civil society group Shujan.

Most cases against the opposition are "politically motivated", Shujan's Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said.

BNP says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the opposition alliance, comprising around 20 parties, have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period.

Sohel Rana, a spokesman for the Bangladesh police, declined to give figures of arrests or attacks on political leaders and activists but said his department took allegations of mistakes in filing charges seriously and would take action against any officers found responsible.

Street politics has always been violent in Bangladesh, which won freedom from Pakistan in 1971 under the leadership of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Khaleda, who has served as prime minister for 10 years, is the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman.

A bitter decades-long rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda - often called "the two begums", or noblewomen - has frequently manifested itself in violence by their parties' student and youth wings.

Ataur Rahman, who chairs the bipartisan think-tank Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), said the dominance of the party in power, violence across the country, and police cases against the opposition were all concerns.

Hasina tipped to win

A Facebook poll by CGS this week showed nearly 80 per cent of 4,500 respondents were in favour of the opposition. Still, Rahman predicts Hasina will retain power. And other polls show her party remains popular.

Results released in September of a survey by the US-based nonprofit International Republican Institute showed 62 per cent of Bangladeshis said they thought the country was headed in the right direction, citing an improving economy. The country's garments industry that generates sales of $30 billion a year, is booming.

But the survey of 5,000 respondents also found that Bangladeshis were losing confidence in democratic institutions and processes, with only 32 per cent saying they believed this election would be free and fair.

Hasina has been lauded internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics. Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws, which she denies.

US funded political observers who were scheduled to visit to monitor elections have been forced to cancel plans due to what Washington said was Bangladesh's "inability to grant credentials and issue visas within the timeframe necessary". Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was following due process.

Where are the posters?

When a group of daily wage labourers gathered in Dhaka this week, supporters of both political groups said no other prime minister had helped build more roads and culverts than Hasina.

But they said they should be free to elect their leader, and that a lack of campaigning by the opposition was not helping them decide.

"Opposition people can't even put up election posters, can’t open election offices," said Musharraf Hussain Sharafat, 50, who works as a decorator at tents put up for weddings. "We think we won’t even be allowed to vote."

In Noakhali district, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, opposition posters in two key constituencies are hardly visible.

In one of them, the Awami League’s General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, was seen out seeking votes last weekend with a cavalcade of black SUVs and his area's top police officer for security.

Quader smiled down from posters hung from trees, electrical wires, and plastered on walls, as loudspeakers perched atop rickshaws blared Hasina’s praises.

His opponent Modud Ahmed, a former prime minister, said he had stayed in his home for most of this month out of fear of attacks. He said his supporters face assaults and threats from stick and gun-wielding Awami League student and youth wing activists.

"We don't call them students," said Ahmed, Bangladesh's first postmaster-general. "We call them Hasina's armed cadres. There is a reign of terror."

Quader declined to meet with Reuters despite repeated requests.

Nizam Uddin, local leader of the Awami League’s student wing, rubbished Ahmed's allegations, saying instead that his own members had been attacked by BNP workers.

Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said.

Bangladesh has a general election this weekend, but opposition candidate Abdul Moyeen Khan says he is yet to hold a single public meeting in his constituency about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Dhaka, the capital. Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Muslim majority nation's biggest opposition group, is fighting Sunday's election as part of an alliance cobbled together three months ago. But its leaders, candidates such as Khan, and workers say they are facing violent attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, that have stunted their ability to campaign. Posters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League are plastered and hung up from utility poles across the country. But barely visible are those of its opponents, many of whom, including BNP chairperson and three-time premier Khaleda Zia, have been jailed on what the BNP calls trumped-up charges. Not trusting Hasina to hold a fair election, the BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014. This time, it stayed in the race by banding together with smaller parties, but several BNP leaders say they are regretting that decision. With over 100 million registered voters and 300 seats in parliament, this is one of the largest national elections anywhere in the world this year. But as campaigning came to an end on Friday, opposition leaders said they had barely stirred out of their homes. "I am not even allowed to campaign, and they are threatening voters to stay away," Khan said at his home in Dhaka earlier this week, where he was visiting an assistant hospitalised after being assaulted. In the first two days of this week, opposition workers in 88 constituencies had been attacked, Khan said. One candidate has sued police for shooting him eight times with pellet bullets while he was out seeking votes. Hasina's Awami League, seeking a third straight term in power, has denied the allegations and blames the opposition for attacks that killed at least five of its workers and injured more than 300 in the past three weeks. In a recent interview, Awami League leader HT Imam handed Reuters photographs of people he called opposition "thugs" vandalising shops, setting fire to vehicles, and burning Awami League posters in Dhaka in November. Imam also listed steps Hasina had taken since coming to power to ensure free and fair elections, including strengthening the Election Commission, introducing see-through ballot boxes and empowering the police to act against political parties' use of money and muscle. Divided election commission Yet a rift has developed in the Election Commission, with Mahbub Talukdar, one of the five commissioners, saying last week there was no level playing field. "It is not enough to hold a participatory election, it should also be free, fair and as per the law," Talukdar said in a statement on Wednesday. His boss, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, has said Talukdar was lying and also rejected the opposition's allegations of bias. He did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking further comment. Police say they have been working under the orders of the Election Commission since last month. More than 61 per cent of the opposition alliance's 287 candidates face criminal cases, compared with only around 7 per cent of the ruling party's 299, according to affidavits filed by candidates at the Election Commission that were analysed by the Dhaka-based civil society group Shujan. Most cases against the opposition are "politically motivated", Shujan's Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said. BNP says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the opposition alliance, comprising around 20 parties, have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period. Sohel Rana, a spokesman for the Bangladesh police, declined to give figures of arrests or attacks on political leaders and activists but said his department took allegations of mistakes in filing charges seriously and would take action against any officers found responsible. Street politics has always been violent in Bangladesh, which won freedom from Pakistan in 1971 under the leadership of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Khaleda, who has served as prime minister for 10 years, is the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman. A bitter decades-long rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda - often called "the two begums", or noblewomen - has frequently manifested itself in violence by their parties' student and youth wings. Ataur Rahman, who chairs the bipartisan think-tank Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), said the dominance of the party in power, violence across the country, and police cases against the opposition were all concerns. Hasina tipped to win A Facebook poll by CGS this week showed nearly 80 per cent of 4,500 respondents were in favour of the opposition. Still, Rahman predicts Hasina will retain power. And other polls show her party remains popular. Results released in September of a survey by the US-based nonprofit International Republican Institute showed 62 per cent of Bangladeshis said they thought the country was headed in the right direction, citing an improving economy. The country's garments industry that generates sales of $30 billion a year, is booming. But the survey of 5,000 respondents also found that Bangladeshis were losing confidence in democratic institutions and processes, with only 32 per cent saying they believed this election would be free and fair. Hasina has been lauded internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics. Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws, which she denies. US funded political observers who were scheduled to visit to monitor elections have been forced to cancel plans due to what Washington said was Bangladesh's "inability to grant credentials and issue visas within the timeframe necessary". Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was following due process. Where are the posters? When a group of daily wage labourers gathered in Dhaka this week, supporters of both political groups said no other prime minister had helped build more roads and culverts than Hasina. But they said they should be free to elect their leader, and that a lack of campaigning by the opposition was not helping them decide. "Opposition people can't even put up election posters, can’t open election offices," said Musharraf Hussain Sharafat, 50, who works as a decorator at tents put up for weddings. "We think we won’t even be allowed to vote." In Noakhali district, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, opposition posters in two key constituencies are hardly visible. In one of them, the Awami League’s General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, was seen out seeking votes last weekend with a cavalcade of black SUVs and his area's top police officer for security. Quader smiled down from posters hung from trees, electrical wires, and plastered on walls, as loudspeakers perched atop rickshaws blared Hasina’s praises. His opponent Modud Ahmed, a former prime minister, said he had stayed in his home for most of this month out of fear of attacks. He said his supporters face assaults and threats from stick and gun-wielding Awami League student and youth wing activists. "We don't call them students," said Ahmed, Bangladesh's first postmaster-general. "We call them Hasina's armed cadres. There is a reign of terror." Quader declined to meet with Reuters despite repeated requests. Nizam Uddin, local leader of the Awami League’s student wing, rubbished Ahmed's allegations, saying instead that his own members had been attacked by BNP workers.

Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces 'a reign of terror'

Campaigning for Bangladesh's general election at the weekend ended on Friday after weeks of violence, mainly against workers and officials from an opposition alliance, that has been criticised by the United States and others.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is seeking its third straight term in Sunday's election against the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which boycotted the last vote in 2014.

The Awami League is promoting its economic record over the past decade but the BNP-led opposition alliance, many of whose leaders have been jailed, has vowed to remove curbs on the media, raise wages and freeze energy prices.

"The government has lost moral support," BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a news conference late on Thursday, urging voters to "restore democracy".

"But the people are with us. They want change," he said.

The BNP's preparations have been hamstrung by the February jailing of their chairwoman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, on what they call trumped-up corruption charges.

Awami League leaders deny any misuse of power and say they will return to government with an overwhelming majority.

Hasina told supporters on Thursday they must "ensure victory of pro-liberation forces", a reference to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 led by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Economist Intelligence Unit expects her party to win a third term.

The BNP said on Thursday more than 8,200 opposition leaders and activists from a coalition of about 20 parties have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. Four workers were killed and more than 12,300 injured, it said.

The Awami League has, in turn, said the BNP and its partners were behind attacks that killed at least five of its workers over the past three weeks.

Police declined to confirm the figures.

Mahbub Talukdar, one of Bangladesh's five election commissioners, has said there has not been a level playing field, although other commissioners have said they expected the election would be free and fair.

Earl Miller, the US ambassador to Bangladesh, said all parties had been victims of violence, including women and minority candidates.

"However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence," he said in a statement after meeting Election Commission officials on Thursday.

Miller said all candidates and voters must be able to take part without "harassment, intimidation, or violence" and that an independent media must be allowed to cover the election.

The United Nations has made a similar call for a "peaceful, credible and inclusive poll".

Campaigning for Bangladesh's general election at the weekend ended on Friday after weeks of violence, mainly against workers and officials from an opposition alliance, that has been criticised by the United States and others.

Campaigning for Bangladesh's general election at the weekend ended on Friday after weeks of violence, mainly against workers and officials from an opposition alliance, that has been criticised by the United States and others. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is seeking its third straight term in Sunday's election against the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which boycotted the last vote in 2014. The Awami League is promoting its economic record over the past decade but the BNP-led opposition alliance, many of whose leaders have been jailed, has vowed to remove curbs on the media, raise wages and freeze energy prices. "The government has lost moral support," BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a news conference late on Thursday, urging voters to "restore democracy". "But the people are with us. They want change," he said. The BNP's preparations have been hamstrung by the February jailing of their chairwoman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, on what they call trumped-up corruption charges. Awami League leaders deny any misuse of power and say they will return to government with an overwhelming majority. Hasina told supporters on Thursday they must "ensure victory of pro-liberation forces", a reference to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 led by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Economist Intelligence Unit expects her party to win a third term. The BNP said on Thursday more than 8,200 opposition leaders and activists from a coalition of about 20 parties have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. Four workers were killed and more than 12,300 injured, it said. The Awami League has, in turn, said the BNP and its partners were behind attacks that killed at least five of its workers over the past three weeks. Police declined to confirm the figures. Mahbub Talukdar, one of Bangladesh's five election commissioners, has said there has not been a level playing field, although other commissioners have said they expected the election would be free and fair. Earl Miller, the US ambassador to Bangladesh, said all parties had been victims of violence, including women and minority candidates. "However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence," he said in a statement after meeting Election Commission officials on Thursday. Miller said all candidates and voters must be able to take part without "harassment, intimidation, or violence" and that an independent media must be allowed to cover the election. The United Nations has made a similar call for a "peaceful, credible and inclusive poll".

Weakened Bangladesh opposition hopes for change in Sunday's election

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion.

He said that Pakistan authorities have confirmed that politicians from their country are in touch with a Bangladesh political party to rig polls are scheduled for December 30.

"We have enough inputs shared by our counterparts in Pakistan that some Pakistan based politicians were in touch with a political party in Bangladesh. We have been given specific inputs and we are working on it," said RAB chief.&nbsp;

Ahmed also said that the huge amount of money recovered from two locations in Dhaka was part of a conspiracy aimed to influence voters.

"The money was brought to Bangladesh through hawala and the hundis. It was sourced from middle-eastern countries aimed to influence voters and use the money to create tension by violence. The day we raided these offices on December 25 was the same day a huge amount of money was sent to Shariatpur constituency, later the area witnessed widespread violence," added Ahmed.&nbsp;

Most importantly, Ahmed said that this could be just the tip of the iceberg.&nbsp;

"This is a part of an organised network. We found registers that contained recent entries. The details mentioned constituencies and the amount of black money distributed. We are tracking the money trail," Ahmed said.&nbsp;

On being quizzed whether the acting chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman who is on a self-imposed exile in London held meetings with ISI agency regarding the monetary transaction, he said that the possibility that cannot be ruled out.

The RAB is also investigating whether the phone conversation that had surfaced between a BNP leader and ISI agency had any connection with the raid.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion.

Days after Bangladesh’s elite counter-terrorism unit Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) unearthed a plot of Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trying to sabotage upcoming elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders, the RAB chief Benazir Ahmed made some startling revelation in an exclusive interaction with Wion. He said that Pakistan authorities have confirmed that politicians from their country are in touch with a Bangladesh political party to rig polls are scheduled for December 30. "We have enough inputs shared by our counterparts in Pakistan that some Pakistan based politicians were in touch with a political party in Bangladesh. We have been given specific inputs and we are working on it," said RAB chief. Ahmed also said that the huge amount of money recovered from two locations in Dhaka was part of a conspiracy aimed to influence voters. "The money was brought to Bangladesh through hawala and the hundis. It was sourced from middle-eastern countries aimed to influence voters and use the money to create tension by violence. The day we raided these offices on December 25 was the same day a huge amount of money was sent to Shariatpur constituency, later the area witnessed widespread violence," added Ahmed. Most importantly, Ahmed said that this could be just the tip of the iceberg. "This is a part of an organised network. We found registers that contained recent entries. The details mentioned constituencies and the amount of black money distributed. We are tracking the money trail," Ahmed said. On being quizzed whether the acting chairman of the BNP, Tarique Rahman who is on a self-imposed exile in London held meetings with ISI agency regarding the monetary transaction, he said that the possibility that cannot be ruled out. The RAB is also investigating whether the phone conversation that had surfaced between a BNP leader and ISI agency had any connection with the raid.

Pakistan leaders are trying to meddle upcoming Bangladesh elections: RAB chief to WION

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-meets-briefly-takes-no-action-on-shutdown-186889">US Congress meets briefly, takes no action on shutdown</a>

Both chambers of the US&nbsp;Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-reopens-damascus-embassy-after-seven-years-186907">UAE reopens Damascus embassy after seven years</a>

The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold.The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-yellow-vest-protests-planned-for-saturday-new-years-eve-186909">French 'yellow vest' protests planned for Saturday, New Year's Eve</a>

The "yellow vest" anti-government protests that have rocked France will be held on Saturday and New Year's Eve, and continue into 2019, several sources in the movement said Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-un-raise-concerns-over-violence-ahead-of-bangladesh-election-186920">US, UN raise concerns over violence ahead of Bangladesh election</a>

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the&nbsp;looming general election in Bangladesh&nbsp;as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-killed-as-major-fire-breaks-out-in-mumbai-high-rise-building-186897">Mumbai: Major fire breaks out in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-killed-as-major-fire-breaks-out-in-mumbai-high-rise-building-186897">high-rise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-killed-as-major-fire-breaks-out-in-mumbai-high-rise-building-186897"> building, 5 killed</a>

The 16-storey building is located in suburban Tilak Nagar, where search and rescue operation by the Mumbai Fire Brigade is underway, said the official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

US Congress meets briefly, takes no action on shutdown Both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week.

US Congress meets briefly, takes no action on shutdown Both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week. UAE reopens Damascus embassy after seven years The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold.The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war. French 'yellow vest' protests planned for Saturday, New Year's Eve The "yellow vest" anti-government protests that have rocked France will be held on Saturday and New Year's Eve, and continue into 2019, several sources in the movement said Thursday. US, UN raise concerns over violence ahead of Bangladesh election The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked. Mumbai: Major fire breaks out in high-rise building, 5 killed The 16-storey building is located in suburban Tilak Nagar, where search and rescue operation by the Mumbai Fire Brigade is underway, said the official from the Disaster Management Unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-leaders-are-trying-to-meddle-upcoming-bangladesh-elections-rab-chief-186855">looming general election in Bangladesh</a> as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote.

The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda.

"I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-campaign-marred-by-violence-ends-with-opposition-fearing-unfair-voting-186839">campaign violence</a> over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement.

"However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence."

Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day.

Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm.

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 for the UN chief.

Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party 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.

The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8.

The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday.

'Blind' opposition

The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers.

Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement 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 her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over 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 income to more than $5,400 by 2030.

Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said.

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 Zia, longstanding 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 said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked. The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote. The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair. The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda. "I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of campaign violence over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement. "However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence." Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day. Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm. 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 for the UN chief. Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added. Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party 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. The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8. The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday. 'Blind' opposition The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers. Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement 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 her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over 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 income to more than $5,400 by 2030. Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said. 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 Zia, longstanding 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 said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

US, UN raise concerns over violence ahead of Bangladesh election

Bangladesh beefs up security as campaigning ends ahead of weekend polls

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment. She has relentlessly pursued the accomplices of her father’s murderers and those who collaborated with Pakistani Soldiers in 1971. Execution of some senior leaders in Opposition has triggered an interesting debate. 
 
Shouldn’t there be a closure to the tragic events that occurred half a century back? Should revenge give way to reconciliation?&nbsp;

Among the young who comprise the majority of the population in Bangladesh today, not many care about justice for the victims of 1971 and 1975. &nbsp; 
 
The issues that weigh heavy on their mind and agitate them are employment, healthcare, infrastructure and the state of law and order. There is also grave concern about creeping intolerance and brutal annihilation of dissenters and persecution of minorities.&nbsp;

While Begum Khaleda &nbsp;Zia has been accused of corruption, Hasina can't be absolved totally of incompetent management of the economy and administrative lapses. Her benign image hasn’t always coincided with actions. Minorities are 10 per cent of the country’s population. Of this 7-8 &nbsp;per cent are Hindus and the rest Christians, Buddhist and Animists. The Hindus feel that Hasina can protect their interests better as Khalida has fostered up her support by pandering to fundamentalist Islamic elements in the country. 
 
But Hasina’s handling of the Chakma Problem and the Rohingya refugees hasn’t inspired confidence in her capability to balance contending interests in a plural society. This is the reason that Khaleda’s supporters have been able to create a rift among the minority vote bank of Awami League. The Armed Forces claim to be apolitical, but a section remains strongly sympathetic towards Khaleda. An Army General’s widow - she is perceived as ‘one of our own.’

Ironically, neither Hasina nor Khaleda has made the least effort to prepare a second line of leadership or trained successors to take over. For both ladies, the hands of the clock are firmly stuck in past.&nbsp;

Khaleda Zia today realises the folly of boycotting the last elections that gave a walk over to Sheikh Hasina. She is desperate to forge a Mahagathbandhan of her own to oust her arch-rival from power.&nbsp;

It is for the people of Bangladesh to choose the Party and the leader whom they wish to rule over the land. India can't afford to be taking sides even slightly or remotely. But at the same time, it can't remain blind to machinations by inimical forces in its backyard. ISI, as well as Wahhabis financed by Saudi patrons, have long been active in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

This can only result in a vitiation of climate against friendship with India. China too lurks in the shadows with promises of economic aid and technical assistance. This too is part of that belligerent neighbour's strategy to encircle India. Whatever be the outcome these elections impinge on our strategic concerns. We must carefully weigh all options.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment.

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment. She has relentlessly pursued the accomplices of her father’s murderers and those who collaborated with Pakistani Soldiers in 1971. Execution of some senior leaders in Opposition has triggered an interesting debate. Shouldn’t there be a closure to the tragic events that occurred half a century back? Should revenge give way to reconciliation? Among the young who comprise the majority of the population in Bangladesh today, not many care about justice for the victims of 1971 and 1975. The issues that weigh heavy on their mind and agitate them are employment, healthcare, infrastructure and the state of law and order. There is also grave concern about creeping intolerance and brutal annihilation of dissenters and persecution of minorities. While Begum Khaleda Zia has been accused of corruption, Hasina can't be absolved totally of incompetent management of the economy and administrative lapses. Her benign image hasn’t always coincided with actions. Minorities are 10 per cent of the country’s population. Of this 7-8 per cent are Hindus and the rest Christians, Buddhist and Animists. The Hindus feel that Hasina can protect their interests better as Khalida has fostered up her support by pandering to fundamentalist Islamic elements in the country. But Hasina’s handling of the Chakma Problem and the Rohingya refugees hasn’t inspired confidence in her capability to balance contending interests in a plural society. This is the reason that Khaleda’s supporters have been able to create a rift among the minority vote bank of Awami League. The Armed Forces claim to be apolitical, but a section remains strongly sympathetic towards Khaleda. An Army General’s widow - she is perceived as ‘one of our own.’ Ironically, neither Hasina nor Khaleda has made the least effort to prepare a second line of leadership or trained successors to take over. For both ladies, the hands of the clock are firmly stuck in past. Khaleda Zia today realises the folly of boycotting the last elections that gave a walk over to Sheikh Hasina. She is desperate to forge a Mahagathbandhan of her own to oust her arch-rival from power. It is for the people of Bangladesh to choose the Party and the leader whom they wish to rule over the land. India can't afford to be taking sides even slightly or remotely. But at the same time, it can't remain blind to machinations by inimical forces in its backyard. ISI, as well as Wahhabis financed by Saudi patrons, have long been active in Bangladesh. This can only result in a vitiation of climate against friendship with India. China too lurks in the shadows with promises of economic aid and technical assistance. This too is part of that belligerent neighbour's strategy to encircle India. Whatever be the outcome these elections impinge on our strategic concerns. We must carefully weigh all options. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why are Bangladesh elections important?

New clashes marred the deadly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-bangladesh-election-results-will-impact-its-ties-with-india-186618">Bangladesh</a> election campaign on Wednesday as opposition leaders stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote.

Youths on motorbikes carrying a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-violence-youths-carrying-awami-league-banner-attack-bnp-candidate-186668">banner of the ruling Awami League attacked an opposition </a>Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate with knives, hours after a BNP leader was wounded in clashes between rival party activists, police said.

Habibur Rahman Habib, a BNP candidate for parliament, was attacked by 15 men on motorbikes in the northern town of Ishwardi on Wednesday, according to police.

"He was hacked three times on his thigh. He was grievously injured but is out of danger," local police chief Bahauddin Faruqi told AFP.

Late Tuesday, senior BNP leader Goyeshwar Roy was injured as BNP and Awami League activists clashed in Dhaka district, police superintendent S.M. Shafiur Rahman told AFP. Media images showed blood pouring down Roy's face.

The campaign for Sunday's vote has seen daily confrontations between supporters of the two main parties, which has further soured their bitter constitutional showdown.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking a record fourth term, but her party has been accused of organising the arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates to boost her chances. The government denies any wrongdoing.

The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, and its main Islamist ally claim more than 11,500 of their supporters have been detained since the election was called on November 8. Hundreds of their supporters have been injured in fighting, they say.

Thousands arrested

Six people -- four BNP supporters and two from the Awami League -- have been killed in the campaign violence.

The BNP-led opposition coalition demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner Nurul Huda, accusing him of supporting ruling party followers in the unrest.

"It is not possible to get a non-partisan and neutral election from him and there is no possibility of fair treatment from him," opposition spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Opposition parties walked out of a meeting with Huda late Tuesday, and have demanded a neutral election commissioner take over for Sunday's vote.

They say the mass arrest of their followers -- 8,243 from the BNP and 3,600 from the Jamaat-e-Islami -- was intended to create a "climate of fear".

Police have not confirmed the number of arrests during the campaign but insist all those detained had warrants against them.

"We never target any individual unless they break the law," said police spokesman Sohel Rana.

There was no comment from Chief Election Commissioner on the violence, but another election commissioner urged police "act neutrally and without discrimination to all."

"Don't take any undesirable action by being too enthusiastic," commissioner Mahbub Talukder said in a statement.

"Refrain from acting in a partisan manner in the polls. Uphold the dignity and righteousness of your uniform... I am worried over the growing number of incidents of clashes and violence ahead of the national election."

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

The ruling party has emphasised the economic growth in Hasina's last 10 years in power to justify her reelection.

The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million.

But Ahmed said its candidates were attacked in 28 constituencies on Tuesday, leaving more than 100 people injured.

Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

New clashes marred the deadly Bangladesh election campaign on Wednesday as opposition leaders stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote.

New clashes marred the deadly Bangladesh election campaign on Wednesday as opposition leaders stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote. Youths on motorbikes carrying a banner of the ruling Awami League attacked an opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate with knives, hours after a BNP leader was wounded in clashes between rival party activists, police said. Habibur Rahman Habib, a BNP candidate for parliament, was attacked by 15 men on motorbikes in the northern town of Ishwardi on Wednesday, according to police. "He was hacked three times on his thigh. He was grievously injured but is out of danger," local police chief Bahauddin Faruqi told AFP. Late Tuesday, senior BNP leader Goyeshwar Roy was injured as BNP and Awami League activists clashed in Dhaka district, police superintendent S.M. Shafiur Rahman told AFP. Media images showed blood pouring down Roy's face. The campaign for Sunday's vote has seen daily confrontations between supporters of the two main parties, which has further soured their bitter constitutional showdown. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking a record fourth term, but her party has been accused of organising the arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates to boost her chances. The government denies any wrongdoing. The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, and its main Islamist ally claim more than 11,500 of their supporters have been detained since the election was called on November 8. Hundreds of their supporters have been injured in fighting, they say. Thousands arrested Six people -- four BNP supporters and two from the Awami League -- have been killed in the campaign violence. The BNP-led opposition coalition demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner Nurul Huda, accusing him of supporting ruling party followers in the unrest. "It is not possible to get a non-partisan and neutral election from him and there is no possibility of fair treatment from him," opposition spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. Opposition parties walked out of a meeting with Huda late Tuesday, and have demanded a neutral election commissioner take over for Sunday's vote. They say the mass arrest of their followers -- 8,243 from the BNP and 3,600 from the Jamaat-e-Islami -- was intended to create a "climate of fear". Police have not confirmed the number of arrests during the campaign but insist all those detained had warrants against them. "We never target any individual unless they break the law," said police spokesman Sohel Rana. There was no comment from Chief Election Commissioner on the violence, but another election commissioner urged police "act neutrally and without discrimination to all." "Don't take any undesirable action by being too enthusiastic," commissioner Mahbub Talukder said in a statement. "Refrain from acting in a partisan manner in the polls. Uphold the dignity and righteousness of your uniform... I am worried over the growing number of incidents of clashes and violence ahead of the national election." Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The ruling party has emphasised the economic growth in Hasina's last 10 years in power to justify her reelection. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million. But Ahmed said its candidates were attacked in 28 constituencies on Tuesday, leaving more than 100 people injured. Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

Campaign attacks heighten fears for Bangladesh election

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;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jv9QILGS5Ns" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“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

Bangladesh <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-sheikh-hasina-on-top-in-battle-of-the-bangladesh-begums-186170">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> has always had cordial relations with India. Under her regime, ties between the two countries flourished well and the engagement between the two countries improved on all fronts.&nbsp;Bangladesh's first female prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a>, on the other hand, had rocky ties with India.&nbsp;

With 2018 Bangladesh polls just around the corner, here's taking a look at Bangladesh-India ties under the 'battling begums.'

Bangladesh PM Hasina

The 2008 elections in Bangladesh marked a new chapter in the country's relationship with India.

The polls ushered in a new phase for the democracy of the country. The polls were held after two years of an army-backed caretaker government ruled the nation. Hasina-led Awami League returned to power with a thumping majority.

Since Hasina's coming to power, India and Bangladesh entered into engagements on every front. Several bus and train routes, connecting the two countries, have been operationalised.

After Sheikh Hasina's visit to India last year, there has been a renewed focus on improving connectivity between the two countries.

After her meeting with PM Modi in India, Hasina said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I had a productive meeting, we sat together to take our excellent bilateral relations to a new height. Prime minister Modi and I agreed that greater connectivity is vital for the development of the region".

In recent years, India and Bangladesh have made major headway to solve their boundary disputes.&nbsp;

In the past few years, the two countries ended an issue in North Bengal. A decades-old maritime boundary dispute was also settled in 2014.&nbsp;

Significant headway has also been made to settle differences over the sharing of waters of the Teesta river.&nbsp;

India has reciprocated to this in equal measure. Around a dozen agreements have been signed with Dhaka. India has committed 10 billion dollars of private investment. &nbsp;New Delhi has approved a 7.5 billion dollars for infrastructure and other projects in Bangladesh. Both sides continue to explore other areas of cooperation.&nbsp;

Beyond these projects, India and Bangladesh have established deep security cooperation. Intelligence agencies of both countries have developed a close working relationship. Since taking over the prime minister's office, Sheikh Hasina has led efforts to crush ISI's covert activities in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

"We want to build cooperation in new areas, especially some high-technology areas that have a deeper connect with the youth in both our societies.

These would include working in the fields of electronics, information technology, cybersecurity, space exploration, civil nuclear energy, and other areas," PM Modi said.

And Hasina being at the helm of affairs has certainly provided a stable neighbour for India.

Bangladesh-India ties under Khaleda Zia

Hasina and Zia have dominated the political landscape of Dhaka for the past 30 years. But former PM Khalida Zia's stature has significantly diminished. She's in jail for corruption. Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party is counting on allies to mount a challenge to the prime minister. And yet, Zia cannot be written off.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-in-punishing-khaleda-zia-was-awami-league-being-vindictive-32590?amp">Khaleda Zia </a>was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh. In her early political life, she was dismissed as the politically inexperienced housewife of a military dictator. But, after her husband's assassination, Zia served as the prime minister of the country.&nbsp;

During her tenure as the prime minister of the country, Zia had a rocky relationship with New Delhi.&nbsp;There was an immense trust deficit between both sides.&nbsp;

Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is seen as anti-India.&nbsp;Her government was also criticised for supporting and harbouring anti-India elements.&nbsp;

But, in 2012, Zia did attempt some overtures. During a visit to New Delhi, she met with the then President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. These high-level meetings were followed by talks with political leaders from both sides of the political spectrum.&nbsp;

After losing power, Zia has faced major roadblocks in her attempts to mount a comeback.&nbsp;

The leader of the opposition in Bangladesh is serving a 10-year jail term for corruption.&nbsp;

Zia blames the ruling Sheikh Hasina government. Before going to jail, she claimed that opposition is being targeted.&nbsp;

"We were locked in our office for months after months. During that time, I was accused for different incidents that took place outside my office. The jails are all filled with the supporters of my party."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always had cordial relations with India. Under her regime, ties between the two countries flourished well and the engagement between the two countries improved on all fronts.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always had cordial relations with India. Under her regime, ties between the two countries flourished well and the engagement between the two countries improved on all fronts. Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia, on the other hand, had rocky ties with India. With 2018 Bangladesh polls just around the corner, here's taking a look at Bangladesh-India ties under the 'battling begums.' Bangladesh PM Hasina The 2008 elections in Bangladesh marked a new chapter in the country's relationship with India. The polls ushered in a new phase for the democracy of the country. The polls were held after two years of an army-backed caretaker government ruled the nation. Hasina-led Awami League returned to power with a thumping majority. Since Hasina's coming to power, India and Bangladesh entered into engagements on every front. Several bus and train routes, connecting the two countries, have been operationalised. After Sheikh Hasina's visit to India last year, there has been a renewed focus on improving connectivity between the two countries. After her meeting with PM Modi in India, Hasina said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I had a productive meeting, we sat together to take our excellent bilateral relations to a new height. Prime minister Modi and I agreed that greater connectivity is vital for the development of the region". In recent years, India and Bangladesh have made major headway to solve their boundary disputes. In the past few years, the two countries ended an issue in North Bengal. A decades-old maritime boundary dispute was also settled in 2014. Significant headway has also been made to settle differences over the sharing of waters of the Teesta river. India has reciprocated to this in equal measure. Around a dozen agreements have been signed with Dhaka. India has committed 10 billion dollars of private investment. New Delhi has approved a 7.5 billion dollars for infrastructure and other projects in Bangladesh. Both sides continue to explore other areas of cooperation. Beyond these projects, India and Bangladesh have established deep security cooperation. Intelligence agencies of both countries have developed a close working relationship. Since taking over the prime minister's office, Sheikh Hasina has led efforts to crush ISI's covert activities in Bangladesh. "We want to build cooperation in new areas, especially some high-technology areas that have a deeper connect with the youth in both our societies. These would include working in the fields of electronics, information technology, cybersecurity, space exploration, civil nuclear energy, and other areas," PM Modi said. And Hasina being at the helm of affairs has certainly provided a stable neighbour for India. Bangladesh-India ties under Khaleda Zia Hasina and Zia have dominated the political landscape of Dhaka for the past 30 years. But former PM Khalida Zia's stature has significantly diminished. She's in jail for corruption. Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party is counting on allies to mount a challenge to the prime minister. And yet, Zia cannot be written off. Khaleda Zia was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh. In her early political life, she was dismissed as the politically inexperienced housewife of a military dictator. But, after her husband's assassination, Zia served as the prime minister of the country. During her tenure as the prime minister of the country, Zia had a rocky relationship with New Delhi. There was an immense trust deficit between both sides. Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is seen as anti-India. Her government was also criticised for supporting and harbouring anti-India elements. But, in 2012, Zia did attempt some overtures. During a visit to New Delhi, she met with the then President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. These high-level meetings were followed by talks with political leaders from both sides of the political spectrum. After losing power, Zia has faced major roadblocks in her attempts to mount a comeback. The leader of the opposition in Bangladesh is serving a 10-year jail term for corruption. Zia blames the ruling Sheikh Hasina government. Before going to jail, she claimed that opposition is being targeted. "We were locked in our office for months after months. During that time, I was accused for different incidents that took place outside my office. The jails are all filled with the supporters of my party."

Bangladesh's 'battling begums': India-Bangladesh ties under PM Sheikh Hasina, ex-PM Khaleda Zia

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a>'s main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections.

Two weeks into the campaign, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-sheikh-hasina-on-top-in-battle-of-the-bangladesh-begums-186170">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> has addressed hundreds of thousands of people in rallies across the country as she seeks a record fourth term.

Public gatherings by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are tiny by comparison.&nbsp;

Its leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a> is serving a 17-year jail term for a graft conviction, which the party says is a politically motivated attempt to sideline Hasina's chief rival.&nbsp;

The BNP says many of its candidates have been too scared to campaign in public and fear violent intimidation by ruling party followers or arrest by authorities.

More than 150 of its candidates have been attacked, 15 arrested and thousands of party activists injured in clashes with rivals from the ruling Awami League, according to the BNP.

At least six supporters from both parties have been killed in election clashes.

Fearing bloodshed, the BNP has instead turned to Facebook to canvass support from Bangladesh's 100 million voters ahead of Sunday's election.

An online plea by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the nation's younger voters went viral in recent days.

The three-minute video was released on Friday night and was shared tens of thousands of times over the weekend.

The Awami League wants to "create an environment of fear so that you lose interest in voting on the morning of December 30," he says in the post.&nbsp;

"You can prevent vote robbery. Democracy must be saved."

Poetic plea&nbsp;

A recording of a poem recited by young voters urging them to condemn a violent government crackdown on student protests earlier this year also spread like wildfire online.

Pro-Awami League groups have responded by flooding Facebook with videos of Bangladeshi celebrities, each lauding the country's solid economic growth since Hasina's second stint in office began in 2009.

State-run media and many private television stations do not run opposition adverts for fear of government reprisals, said BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan.&nbsp;

While Awami League campaign ads are ubiquitous on television, "the only medium where we can post our video is Facebook," Khan said.&nbsp;

Authorities last week blocked the BNP website, claiming it contained "indecent" and "obscene" material&nbsp;a move that prompted outrage and accusations of censorship from the opposition. The party's Facebook page was also down for several days.

At the same time, the government has run its own online influence campaign in a bid to shore up votes ahead of the Sunday poll.

Facebook last week said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources.

Civil society and rights groups have accused the government of silencing dissent and the press with an onerous digital-security law.

Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, the editor of the Bangladeshi tabloid Manabzamin, said Facebook was the last refuge for voices critical of the Awami League's increasing slide towards authoritarianism.

"The opposition is too afraid to campaign freely. The media has been cornered as well. This is the reality," he said.

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, Bangladesh's main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections.

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, Bangladesh's main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections. Two weeks into the campaign, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has addressed hundreds of thousands of people in rallies across the country as she seeks a record fourth term. Public gatherings by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are tiny by comparison. Its leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term for a graft conviction, which the party says is a politically motivated attempt to sideline Hasina's chief rival. The BNP says many of its candidates have been too scared to campaign in public and fear violent intimidation by ruling party followers or arrest by authorities. More than 150 of its candidates have been attacked, 15 arrested and thousands of party activists injured in clashes with rivals from the ruling Awami League, according to the BNP. At least six supporters from both parties have been killed in election clashes. Fearing bloodshed, the BNP has instead turned to Facebook to canvass support from Bangladesh's 100 million voters ahead of Sunday's election. An online plea by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the nation's younger voters went viral in recent days. The three-minute video was released on Friday night and was shared tens of thousands of times over the weekend. The Awami League wants to "create an environment of fear so that you lose interest in voting on the morning of December 30," he says in the post. "You can prevent vote robbery. Democracy must be saved." Poetic plea A recording of a poem recited by young voters urging them to condemn a violent government crackdown on student protests earlier this year also spread like wildfire online. Pro-Awami League groups have responded by flooding Facebook with videos of Bangladeshi celebrities, each lauding the country's solid economic growth since Hasina's second stint in office began in 2009. State-run media and many private television stations do not run opposition adverts for fear of government reprisals, said BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan. While Awami League campaign ads are ubiquitous on television, "the only medium where we can post our video is Facebook," Khan said. Authorities last week blocked the BNP website, claiming it contained "indecent" and "obscene" material a move that prompted outrage and accusations of censorship from the opposition. The party's Facebook page was also down for several days. At the same time, the government has run its own online influence campaign in a bid to shore up votes ahead of the Sunday poll. Facebook last week said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources. Civil society and rights groups have accused the government of silencing dissent and the press with an onerous digital-security law. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, the editor of the Bangladeshi tabloid Manabzamin, said Facebook was the last refuge for voices critical of the Awami League's increasing slide towards authoritarianism. "The opposition is too afraid to campaign freely. The media has been cornered as well. This is the reality," he said.

Silent opposition counts on viral votes in Bangladesh election

Thousands of army troops were deployed across <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> on Monday to provide security and help conduct <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-elections-a-rocky-road-ahead-for-all-parties-185923">parliamentary elections</a> on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen.

The Election Commission on December 13 announced that the army will be deployed as a striking force across the country during the 11th parliamentary elections and it will remain in the field until January 2.

Election Commission's Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan said that about 400-450 platoons of the armed forces are deployed in 389 areas in 270 constituencies across the country.

The army will work in 389 designated areas and the navy in 18. It will also be in charge of operating the electronic voting machines (EMVs) to be used at 845 voting centres in six constituencies, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Earlier this month, authorities deployed paramilitary border forces in 87 bordering areas to control the law and order situation.

Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the forces have been deployed to remove the fear of all including the political parties.

Major opposition parties including jailed former prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a>'s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance Jatiya Oikyafront (National United Front) have long been demanding army deployment for free and fair elections.&nbsp;

The opposition parties have alleged that thousands of its leaders and activists have been arrested to weaken them.&nbsp;

The BNP has welcomed the Election Commission's decision to deploy army in the country ahead of the elections.

"We welcome the decision to deploy army during the 11th Jatiya Sangsad polls. We sincerely believe that the deployment of the army will help create a fair and neutral environment for the election which so far has not been in effect, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said in a press statement on Sunday.

Stating that Bangladesh Army has always been dedicated to serving the nation and its people, Fakhrul said the army won't let its image be tarnished by working in a partisan way.

We hope every proud member of the Bangladesh Army would work for the sake of the countrymen in an effective way, and not in favour of any individual or any particular group, he said.

We strongly urge the Bangladesh Army to ensure equal scopes for all political parties and candidates in the election, Fakhrul added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking to return to power for a third consecutive time in the December 30 elections, which the opposition has alleged could be rigged.

Zia, 73, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting the polls.&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Sunday allowed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ec-allows-hardline-islamist-party-to-contest-upcoming-general-election-186045">Jamaat-e-Islami</a>, a crucial ally of BNP, to contest the general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration.

The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP.

The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners.

The hardline Islamist party is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges.

Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics.

The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers

Thousands of army troops were deployed across Bangladesh on Monday to provide security and help conduct parliamentary elections on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen.

Thousands of army troops were deployed across Bangladesh on Monday to provide security and help conduct parliamentary elections on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen. The Election Commission on December 13 announced that the army will be deployed as a striking force across the country during the 11th parliamentary elections and it will remain in the field until January 2. Election Commission's Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan said that about 400-450 platoons of the armed forces are deployed in 389 areas in 270 constituencies across the country. The army will work in 389 designated areas and the navy in 18. It will also be in charge of operating the electronic voting machines (EMVs) to be used at 845 voting centres in six constituencies, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Earlier this month, authorities deployed paramilitary border forces in 87 bordering areas to control the law and order situation. Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the forces have been deployed to remove the fear of all including the political parties. Major opposition parties including jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance Jatiya Oikyafront (National United Front) have long been demanding army deployment for free and fair elections. The opposition parties have alleged that thousands of its leaders and activists have been arrested to weaken them. The BNP has welcomed the Election Commission's decision to deploy army in the country ahead of the elections. "We welcome the decision to deploy army during the 11th Jatiya Sangsad polls. We sincerely believe that the deployment of the army will help create a fair and neutral environment for the election which so far has not been in effect, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said in a press statement on Sunday. Stating that Bangladesh Army has always been dedicated to serving the nation and its people, Fakhrul said the army won't let its image be tarnished by working in a partisan way. We hope every proud member of the Bangladesh Army would work for the sake of the countrymen in an effective way, and not in favour of any individual or any particular group, he said. We strongly urge the Bangladesh Army to ensure equal scopes for all political parties and candidates in the election, Fakhrul added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking to return to power for a third consecutive time in the December 30 elections, which the opposition has alleged could be rigged. Zia, 73, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting the polls. The Election Commission on Sunday allowed Jamaat-e-Islami, a crucial ally of BNP, to contest the general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration. The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP. The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners. The hardline Islamist party is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges. Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics. The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers

Thousands of troops deployed in Bangladesh ahead of general elections

In a little over a week, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> will go to polls to elect a new parliament.

Pitted against the Sheikh Hasina-led ruling <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ruling-awami-party-promises-growth-in-bid-for-third-term-in-election-manifesto-185295">Awami League</a> (AL) and its various allies are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which had boycotted the last parliamentary elections but has cobbled a rainbow coalition under the banner of Jatiya Okiya Jote.

Old distinctions of pro-liberation and anti-liberation forces have been blurred with fresh alliances formed that defy understanding.

The AL, which positions itself as the pro-liberation secular force, has allied with the obscurantist Hefajat-e-Islam and other Islamic parties. It has a limited electoral understanding with former president Ershad`s Jatiyo Party.

Also in the AL camp is Bikalpdhara Bangladesh of Badrudozza Chaudhari, who was elected as the country`s President in 2001 by the BNP but was tossed out later. The BNP, long regarded as a platform for remnants of the pre-partition Muslim League, anti-AL and anti-India elements from extreme left to extreme right, has taken on board not only nominees of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami but also stalwarts of the Liberation War- octogenarian Dr Komal Hossain as well as Tiger Kader Siddiqui of the Mukti Bahini.

While Sheikh Hasina`s extended family of cousins and nephews is in the fray, it is the first time that none from the Zia family is in the contest. Convicted in a corruption case and barred from contesting elections, Begum Zia has been in prison since February this year. Her son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman, also convicted in many cases, is in exile in England.

Background of the 600 candidates, nominated by the two main contending groupings, is revealing of the character of Bangladesh`s public representatives.

In declarations filed with the Election Commission, only 22 have described themselves as full-time politicians. Seven more as businessmen-cum-politicians and 329 as simply businessmen. Of these 153, including Salman Rahman- the Mukesh Ambani of Bangladesh, have been nominated by the AL bloc, and 176 by the rival camp.

Almost all are based out of Dhaka. This shows how far the two main political parties have moved from their common worker.

Elections are being held in the background of unprecedented pressure on the opposition parties and denial of legitimate democratic space for dissent.

Nomination papers of almost 300 BNP nominees were rejected during scrutiny by the Election Commission, 15 candidates have been arrested and over 30 attacked.

Opposition candidates are being prevented from campaigning, their workers are being harassed and party offices set on fire. Nearly 21,000 workers of the opposition parties have been arrested.

The Human Rights Watch has come out with a stinging report on the muzzling of the press and the blatantly partisan manner in which the State is conducting these elections. Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar has conceded there is no level playing field.

Violence is endemic to elections in Bangladesh. A study carried out reveals an average of 88 persons were killed and 3375 injured in the past parliamentary elections. The figure peaked in 2001 elections that saw 248 getting killed and 11074 injured.

The Hindu minority community bears the brunt of attacks mostly at the hands of BNP and Jamaat cadres. They are looking at the coming elections with trepidation.

The AL record in governance in the last ten years is not unimpressive in terms of macro-level economic and social indicators. It faces anti-incumbency on the count of intolerant arrogance, corruption and patronising criminal elements. Yet it is expected to win largely on the count of its control over the administrative machinery, which it has unhesitatingly used in a partisan manner.

The BNP organisation is dispirited and in disarray. Jamaat is banned and its main leaders hanged or jailed for crimes committed in 1971. Nevertheless electoral arithmetic favours the BNP Jote and it is banking on that. It hopes it will win the elections if voters overcome fear and come out and vote freely.

The voter is in a dilemma. He wants to punish the AL but is frightened of the alternative. Stalwarts of the BNP do not wish to see Tarique Rahman again. The Army, which is accused of literally breaking his back, does not want him to return.

Despite its protests, New Delhi does not seem convinced that the BNP has severed its Pakistan connection. Hence, the Indo- Bangladesh relations that have been assiduously strengthened over the last decade may suffer in the event of BNP coming to power. Even China, seen as a growing challenge to India in its neighbourhood owing to its increasing economic stakes in the country, is said to prefer continuity.

New Delhi must be watching all this closely. Relations with Bangladesh have never been better than in the last ten years. Dhaka`s cooperation has helped in controlling insurgents in the North-East. Dividends of economic collaboration with India is an accepted fact cutting across the Bangladeshi political spectrum.

Yet the anti-India feeling is high largely because of various factors, like the BJP government`s initial stand on the Rohingya refugee influx, a perception that it is anti-Muslim, the NRC issue in Assam, statements of deportation of Bangladeshi illegals and the belief that India condones whatever Sheikh Hasina does.

Lampooning anyone, who opposes AL as pro-Pakistan, too has not helped. This has alienated influential sections of the media including the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, most widely-read English and Bangla dailies. Incidentally, both are edited by freedom fighters and staunchly secular individuals.

Going by the manner in which the elections are being conducted, the outcome may not be acceptable to the losing side. If it loses, AL with its street power will not allow any other government to function. If it retains power it would need to be more tolerant of dissent and realise that denying legitimate democratic space will only drive its opponents underground and lead to a violent reaction. This is a prospect New Delhi will have to be mindful of.&nbsp;

In a little over a week, Bangladesh will go to polls to elect a new parliament. Pitted against the Sheikh Hasina-led ruling Awami League (AL) and its various allies are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which had boycotted the last parliamentary elections but has cobbled a rainbow coalition under the banner of Jatiya Okiya Jote.

In a little over a week, Bangladesh will go to polls to elect a new parliament. Pitted against the Sheikh Hasina-led ruling Awami League (AL) and its various allies are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which had boycotted the last parliamentary elections but has cobbled a rainbow coalition under the banner of Jatiya Okiya Jote. Old distinctions of pro-liberation and anti-liberation forces have been blurred with fresh alliances formed that defy understanding. The AL, which positions itself as the pro-liberation secular force, has allied with the obscurantist Hefajat-e-Islam and other Islamic parties. It has a limited electoral understanding with former president Ershad`s Jatiyo Party. Also in the AL camp is Bikalpdhara Bangladesh of Badrudozza Chaudhari, who was elected as the country`s President in 2001 by the BNP but was tossed out later. The BNP, long regarded as a platform for remnants of the pre-partition Muslim League, anti-AL and anti-India elements from extreme left to extreme right, has taken on board not only nominees of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami but also stalwarts of the Liberation War- octogenarian Dr Komal Hossain as well as Tiger Kader Siddiqui of the Mukti Bahini. While Sheikh Hasina`s extended family of cousins and nephews is in the fray, it is the first time that none from the Zia family is in the contest. Convicted in a corruption case and barred from contesting elections, Begum Zia has been in prison since February this year. Her son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman, also convicted in many cases, is in exile in England. Background of the 600 candidates, nominated by the two main contending groupings, is revealing of the character of Bangladesh`s public representatives. In declarations filed with the Election Commission, only 22 have described themselves as full-time politicians. Seven more as businessmen-cum-politicians and 329 as simply businessmen. Of these 153, including Salman Rahman- the Mukesh Ambani of Bangladesh, have been nominated by the AL bloc, and 176 by the rival camp. Almost all are based out of Dhaka. This shows how far the two main political parties have moved from their common worker. Elections are being held in the background of unprecedented pressure on the opposition parties and denial of legitimate democratic space for dissent. Nomination papers of almost 300 BNP nominees were rejected during scrutiny by the Election Commission, 15 candidates have been arrested and over 30 attacked. Opposition candidates are being prevented from campaigning, their workers are being harassed and party offices set on fire. Nearly 21,000 workers of the opposition parties have been arrested. The Human Rights Watch has come out with a stinging report on the muzzling of the press and the blatantly partisan manner in which the State is conducting these elections. Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar has conceded there is no level playing field. Violence is endemic to elections in Bangladesh. A study carried out reveals an average of 88 persons were killed and 3375 injured in the past parliamentary elections. The figure peaked in 2001 elections that saw 248 getting killed and 11074 injured. The Hindu minority community bears the brunt of attacks mostly at the hands of BNP and Jamaat cadres. They are looking at the coming elections with trepidation. The AL record in governance in the last ten years is not unimpressive in terms of macro-level economic and social indicators. It faces anti-incumbency on the count of intolerant arrogance, corruption and patronising criminal elements. Yet it is expected to win largely on the count of its control over the administrative machinery, which it has unhesitatingly used in a partisan manner. The BNP organisation is dispirited and in disarray. Jamaat is banned and its main leaders hanged or jailed for crimes committed in 1971. Nevertheless electoral arithmetic favours the BNP Jote and it is banking on that. It hopes it will win the elections if voters overcome fear and come out and vote freely. The voter is in a dilemma. He wants to punish the AL but is frightened of the alternative. Stalwarts of the BNP do not wish to see Tarique Rahman again. The Army, which is accused of literally breaking his back, does not want him to return. Despite its protests, New Delhi does not seem convinced that the BNP has severed its Pakistan connection. Hence, the Indo- Bangladesh relations that have been assiduously strengthened over the last decade may suffer in the event of BNP coming to power. Even China, seen as a growing challenge to India in its neighbourhood owing to its increasing economic stakes in the country, is said to prefer continuity. New Delhi must be watching all this closely. Relations with Bangladesh have never been better than in the last ten years. Dhaka`s cooperation has helped in controlling insurgents in the North-East. Dividends of economic collaboration with India is an accepted fact cutting across the Bangladeshi political spectrum. Yet the anti-India feeling is high largely because of various factors, like the BJP government`s initial stand on the Rohingya refugee influx, a perception that it is anti-Muslim, the NRC issue in Assam, statements of deportation of Bangladeshi illegals and the belief that India condones whatever Sheikh Hasina does. Lampooning anyone, who opposes AL as pro-Pakistan, too has not helped. This has alienated influential sections of the media including the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, most widely-read English and Bangla dailies. Incidentally, both are edited by freedom fighters and staunchly secular individuals. Going by the manner in which the elections are being conducted, the outcome may not be acceptable to the losing side. If it loses, AL with its street power will not allow any other government to function. If it retains power it would need to be more tolerant of dissent and realise that denying legitimate democratic space will only drive its opponents underground and lead to a violent reaction. This is a prospect New Delhi will have to be mindful of.

Bangladesh elections: A rocky road ahead for all parties

Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation.&nbsp;

Facebook, Bangladesh's most popular social network with an estimated 30 million users, said it had removed nine fake news pages "linked to individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which mimicked those of independent news outlets.

It also took down six accounts as they, along with the pages, were found "engaging in coordinated inauthentic behaviour." One of the accounts had 11,900 followers.&nbsp;

Spokesmen for the Bangladesh government including for the home and information ministers did not respond to calls seeking comment late on Thursday.&nbsp;

"This kind of behaviour is not allowed on Facebook under our misrepresentation policy because we don`t want people or organisations creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they`re doing," Facebook`s Head of Cybersecurity Policy Nathaniel Gleicher said in a statement.&nbsp;

Twitter said it had identified and suspended 15 accounts originating from Bangladesh for "engaging in coordinated platform manipulation."

"Based on our initial analysis, it appears that some of these accounts may have ties to state-sponsored actors," it added. The accounts had fewer than 50 followers, it said.&nbsp;

Facebook and other tech giants are under pressure to increase efforts to remove misleading or illegal content and ensure fake news is not uploaded and disseminated. Although Facebook has stepped up fact-checking, it still faces criticism that it is too slow to close rogue accounts.&nbsp;

Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh`s elite security force Rapid Action Battalion that has been tasked by the government with monitoring online content in the run-up to the December 30 polls, did not comment on the Facebook statement.&nbsp;

He said his team had arrested 30 people in recent weeks, some linked to the opposition, who posted "anti-government propaganda" by making clones of popular news websites.

Facebook`s move comes as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ruling-awami-party-promises-growth-in-bid-for-third-term-in-election-manifesto-185295">Awami League is seeking to win a third term</a> in power amid accusations of carrying out attacks on opposition party candidates.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshi-opposition-pledges-to-remove-media-curbs-raise-pay-freeze-energy-prices-184897">opposition National Unity Front alliance</a> said on Wednesday that 14 of its candidates had been arrested and 1,500 injured in attacks this month by ruling party workers.&nbsp;

The Awami League has denied the allegations and accused the opposition of trying to disrupt a peaceful election environment. Hasina said on Wednesday her party wouldn`t use "unfair means" to win.

Under Hasina`s decade-long rule several people have been arrested for putting up Facebook posts critical of the government, including a prominent photographer released last month after over 100 days in prison.

Her government has taken steps to improve Bangladesh`s digital infrastructure, including making the internet more affordable, but it has kept tight control.

During mass student protests this August, the police`s cybercrime unit said it had scoured Facebook posts to crack down on what it called "fake news" being spread to provoke protests.

Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the Bangladesh government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation.

Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the Bangladesh government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation. Facebook, Bangladesh's most popular social network with an estimated 30 million users, said it had removed nine fake news pages "linked to individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which mimicked those of independent news outlets. It also took down six accounts as they, along with the pages, were found "engaging in coordinated inauthentic behaviour." One of the accounts had 11,900 followers. Spokesmen for the Bangladesh government including for the home and information ministers did not respond to calls seeking comment late on Thursday. "This kind of behaviour is not allowed on Facebook under our misrepresentation policy because we don`t want people or organisations creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they`re doing," Facebook`s Head of Cybersecurity Policy Nathaniel Gleicher said in a statement. Twitter said it had identified and suspended 15 accounts originating from Bangladesh for "engaging in coordinated platform manipulation." "Based on our initial analysis, it appears that some of these accounts may have ties to state-sponsored actors," it added. The accounts had fewer than 50 followers, it said. Facebook and other tech giants are under pressure to increase efforts to remove misleading or illegal content and ensure fake news is not uploaded and disseminated. Although Facebook has stepped up fact-checking, it still faces criticism that it is too slow to close rogue accounts. Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh`s elite security force Rapid Action Battalion that has been tasked by the government with monitoring online content in the run-up to the December 30 polls, did not comment on the Facebook statement. He said his team had arrested 30 people in recent weeks, some linked to the opposition, who posted "anti-government propaganda" by making clones of popular news websites. Facebook`s move comes as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s Awami League is seeking to win a third term in power amid accusations of carrying out attacks on opposition party candidates. The opposition National Unity Front alliance said on Wednesday that 14 of its candidates had been arrested and 1,500 injured in attacks this month by ruling party workers. The Awami League has denied the allegations and accused the opposition of trying to disrupt a peaceful election environment. Hasina said on Wednesday her party wouldn`t use "unfair means" to win. Under Hasina`s decade-long rule several people have been arrested for putting up Facebook posts critical of the government, including a prominent photographer released last month after over 100 days in prison. Her government has taken steps to improve Bangladesh`s digital infrastructure, including making the internet more affordable, but it has kept tight control. During mass student protests this August, the police`s cybercrime unit said it had scoured Facebook posts to crack down on what it called "fake news" being spread to provoke protests.

Bangladesh: Facebook and Twitter remove pages, accounts ahead of election

bangladesh-elections

Bangladesh Elections, News on Bangladesh Elections, stories on Bangladesh Elections, articles on Bangladesh Elections, Bangladesh Elections stories at Wion, Bangladesh Elections news, Bangladesh Elections latest news

bangladesh elections