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| Bangladesh's ruling Awami League 'wins boycotted poll' | Bangladesh's ruling Awami League 'wins boycotted poll' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Bangladesh's ruling Awami League has won a violence-plagued general election whose outcome was never in doubt, according to preliminary results. | |
| The opposition had boycotted the vote, and fewer than half the 300 parliamentary seats were contested. | The opposition had boycotted the vote, and fewer than half the 300 parliamentary seats were contested. |
| At least 18 people were killed during Sunday's polling. Dozens have died in the run-up to the election. | At least 18 people were killed during Sunday's polling. Dozens have died in the run-up to the election. |
| Voter turnout appears to have been particularly poor, with just over 20% reportedly taking part. | Voter turnout appears to have been particularly poor, with just over 20% reportedly taking part. |
| More than 70% voted in the 2008 parliamentary elections, with officials saying the fear of violence and the boycott kept many away this time. | More than 70% voted in the 2008 parliamentary elections, with officials saying the fear of violence and the boycott kept many away this time. |
| Torched | Torched |
| The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led a nationwide 48-hour strike beginning on Saturday after its leader Khaleda Zia urged supporters to "completely boycott" what she called a "scandalous farce" of an election. | The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led a nationwide 48-hour strike beginning on Saturday after its leader Khaleda Zia urged supporters to "completely boycott" what she called a "scandalous farce" of an election. |
| Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the opposition's demands for her to step down and set up a neutral government to oversee the poll. | Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the opposition's demands for her to step down and set up a neutral government to oversee the poll. |
| The BNP has demanded that results be declared null and void and has called for another 48-hour general strike to begin on Monday. | The BNP has demanded that results be declared null and void and has called for another 48-hour general strike to begin on Monday. |
| Widespread violence erupted across the country on Sunday. Scores of polling stations - many of them schools - were torched, and violent clashes broke out between opposition activists and police. | Widespread violence erupted across the country on Sunday. Scores of polling stations - many of them schools - were torched, and violent clashes broke out between opposition activists and police. |
| With results in from all but eight constituencies, the Awami League won 105 of the 147 contested seats, with allied parties or independent candidates taking the remaining 34. | With results in from all but eight constituencies, the Awami League won 105 of the 147 contested seats, with allied parties or independent candidates taking the remaining 34. |
| The ruling party also held 127 seats that were unopposed. | The ruling party also held 127 seats that were unopposed. |
| A final result is expected later on Monday. | A final result is expected later on Monday. |
| However, the initial tally means Sheikh Hasina will face no problem forming the next government. | However, the initial tally means Sheikh Hasina will face no problem forming the next government. |
| Bitter enemies | Bitter enemies |
| The opposition strike is only the latest in a string of protests by the BNP and its allies - including the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party - that has seen a blockade of roads, railways and waterways and the closure of shops, schools and offices. | The opposition strike is only the latest in a string of protests by the BNP and its allies - including the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party - that has seen a blockade of roads, railways and waterways and the closure of shops, schools and offices. |
| In the run-up to the polls, scores of opposition supporters died in police shootings and dozens of commuters were burnt to death by protesters throwing petrol bombs at strike-defying buses. | In the run-up to the polls, scores of opposition supporters died in police shootings and dozens of commuters were burnt to death by protesters throwing petrol bombs at strike-defying buses. |
| All elections since 1991 have been held under a neutral caretaker administration to ensure that voting is not fixed. | All elections since 1991 have been held under a neutral caretaker administration to ensure that voting is not fixed. |
| But the Awami League abolished the caretaker system in 2010, arguing that it was no longer necessary. | But the Awami League abolished the caretaker system in 2010, arguing that it was no longer necessary. |
| The government has insisted the BNP should take part in the polls within the existing constitutional framework. | The government has insisted the BNP should take part in the polls within the existing constitutional framework. |
| Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - who are bitter political enemies - have alternated from government to opposition for most of the past two decades. | Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - who are bitter political enemies - have alternated from government to opposition for most of the past two decades. |