This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25618108
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Bangladesh's ruling Awami League 'wins boycotted poll' | Bangladesh's ruling Awami League 'wins boycotted poll' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Bangladesh's ruling Awami League has won a violent general election whose outcome was never in doubt, after a boycott by the main opposition party. | |
Fewer than half the 300 parliamentary seats were contested - reports say the Awami League has a two-thirds majority. | |
At least 18 people died during Sunday's vote and dozens more in the run-up. Clashes on Monday killed another three. | |
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. |
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was swift to claim her party had won fairly. | |
"The people have cast their votes spontaneously, upheld the value of democracy and dumped terrorism. We will form our government," she told a news conference. | |
But the BBC's Mahfuz Sadique in Dhaka says it remains to be seen whether her new administration is regarded as credible. | |
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. |
Ms Hasina had 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 most votes counted, the Awami League won 105 of the 147 contested seats, with allied parties or independent candidates taking the remaining 34, reports said. | |
Repolling will take place in eight constituencies. | |
The ruling party also held 127 seats that were unopposed, giving it 232 seats in all. A final result is expected later on Monday. | |
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. |