Dhaka: Despite boycott by principal opposition party, Bangladesh goes to polls on Sunday amid violence. On the eve of the general elections, two people were killed by the anti-government activists who torched 38 polling stations. The miscreants even set ablaze a train while enforcing a 48-hour nationwide strike aimed at disrupting the controversial polls.
The elections have been boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Begum Khaleda Zia. The Election Commission has set up over 18,000 polling stations across the country. But with less than half the population expected to vote, the ruling Awami League is hoping to sweep the elections. The country's capital has seen a series of violent protests in the past months leading to several casualties
An Awami League activist and a BNP worker were killed as violence erupted in parts of Bangladesh after the 18-party opposition alliance led by the BNP began enforcing the strike.
Suspected activists of BNP and its fundamentalist ally Jamaat-e-Islami set on fire 38 polling centres in several districts, including Dhaka, during a span of 12 hours.
Strikers in northern Natore district set fire to a train by hurling a petrol bomb, injuring 12 passengers. The attack was followed by a clash between BNP and Awami League supporters.
The strike is in addition to an indefinite blockade of roads, railways and waterways since January 1. The opposition called the strike to intensify street protests against the polls.
Without the participation of the BNP and its allies, polling would be held in only 147 of 300 constituencies, Election Commission (EC) officials said. Candidates in the other constituencies would be declared elected unopposed.
About 3,75,000 security personnel have been deployed across Bangladesh to maintain peace and nearly 50,000 army troops are on vigil to act as a "striking force", officials said.
Paramilitary forces are working with police to ensure that the vote passes off peacefully.
A total of 390 candidates, mostly from the Awami League and its ally Jatiya Party, are contesting from 147 seats where the number of voters is nearly 44 million.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
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