AGENCIES / DHAKA
At least 17 people were killed and over dozens injured in the poll-related violence in Bangladesh. Polling was held today to elect a new Parliament amid tight security. According to reports most of the dead were activists of ruling party Awami League while others were workers of opposition BNP or its allies.
Over six lakh security personnel including soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the country for smooth conduct of the elections. According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. Voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate.
The voting took place at more than 40 thousand polling stations. Electronic Voting Machines, EVMs were used for the first time in a general election in the country, though only on a limited scale. Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of EVMs.
While incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is seeking a fourth term , her rival ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail. Zia, serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges, has been barred from contesting the polls.
The Ministry of Foreign affairs (MOFA) today termed the Joint Statement of ANFREL-affiliated organizations not only premature also biased and premeditated declaring the polls free and fair.
“The Joint Statement of ANFREL-affiliated organizations issued on 29 December 2018 is not only premature; it’s terming of election environment as ‘restrictive’ is based on misinformation and premeditated assumptions,” the ministry said in a statement after the timeline of vote casting.
The statement said the 11th parliament election is being held in a free, fair, festive and peaceful manner in full exercise of the people’s voting rights despite biased speculations by many quarters including ANFREL.
On Saturday, ANFREL issued a statement falsely alleging that “restrictive electoral environment” is prevailing in Bangladesh surrounding the elections.
The foreign ministry statement said total 174 foreign observers, 65 foreign journalists from countries and organizations are observing today’s election.
In addition, 25,900 local observers from 81 organizations and 7000-8000 local media personnel are also observing the polls, it added.