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Bangladesh poll marred by violence
Ed Harris29 Dec 2008
SECURITY forces lined the streets of Dhaka today as violence threatened to mar Bangladesh's first election in seven years.
At least 18 people were reported to have been injured in clashes as the country held a poll that is intended to restore democracy after two years of emergency rule. Many voters in the capital were still waiting to cast their ballots when polls closed at 4pm local time. Election officials said those already inside polling stations would be allowed to vote.
Some 650,000 police and soldiers have been deployed across the country to prevent violence and electoral fraud. There were scattered allegations of fraud and voter intimidation, as well as clashes between supporters of rival candidates in south-west Bangladesh that left 18 people injured, according to local reports.
Authorities feared tensions could lead to wider violence of the kind that erupted in the last attempt at elections, last year, when the military cancelled the vote and declared emergency rule.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Fakhruddin Ahmed, said the transfer of power to an elected government would be complete soon. "We've waited for this day for the last two years," he said.
Both of the leading candidates - former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina - have been in jail on corruption charges and were released to contest the election. Many observers fear the result will fail to bring the reform the impoverished country of 150 million needs.
Zia and Hasina have traded power back and forth for 15 years in successive governments marked by corruption, mismanagement and protests that have paralysed the country, which has a Muslim majority.
Dhaka residents walked or rode in rickshaws to polling stations because of restrictions on motor vehicles during voting. SA Quader, a 57-year-old businessman, was among about 500 voters who arrived at a polling station in the capital's northern Uttara district at least an hour before it opened. "I'm here to choose the right person to lead our country," Mr Quader said. "I'm confident the election will be free and fair."
Chief election commissioner Shamsul Huda expected high voter turnout. "I am sure this is going to be a historic election," he said after he voted in Dhaka. "The voters are waiting in long queues. That's impressive."
Clashes between supporters of Hasina and Zia left 85 people injured in three districts at the weekend, the United News of Bangladesh reported.
More than 81 million people are eligible to vote. Some 200,000 election observers, including more than 2,000 foreigners, have monitored the voting processes.
Reader views (2)
No change there then. So its back to a former corrupt ex-PM. Well there wasn't much choice really at the election: one corrupt Party standing against another corrupt Party. But one thing is certain, Military Rule again in two years time.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex, 30/12/2008 11:18
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I would not use the word "marred". this election day, itself, is a victory in a country engulfed by corruption, bickering, and political party hatred toward one another. given the history of previous election, this day is a victory for the people of Bangladesh.
- Annnymous, usa, 29/12/2008 19:19
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