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Electioneering ends in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Electioneering for Monday’s general elections in Bangladesh ended at midnight on Saturday.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia concluded her campaign with a rally here while Awami League president Sheikh Hasina wound up hers in Chittagong.

The Election Commission has so far completed preparation, including dispatch of ballot papers, for the elections in 299 constituencies. While 1,555 candidates of 39 political parties are contesting the polls, election to a constituency has been suspended because of a candidate’s death.

About 13 lakh people including 5,66,537 polling officers, 4.25 lakh paramilitary Ansars, and 2 lakh personnel of law enforcement agencies were readied for polls duty.

Sheikh Hasina called upon the people to vote for her grand alliance to put an end to corruption, crime and militancy. “Changes are necessary for democracy. People want peace and prosperity to replace corruption and terrorism”, she said.

Begum Khaleda Zia asked for people’s forgiveness “if there had been any mistakes” during her 2001-2006 rule. Referring to the former military ruler and Jatiya Party chief, General HM Ershad — a key ally of the Awami League — she said, “They have formed a grand alliance with a great thief.”

PTI reports:

Meanwhile, the motorcade of Mr. Ershad came under attack in northwestern Rangpur. Mr. Ershad was on a whirlwind election tour of his Rangpur stronghold when supporters of a rival candidate stoned his car. Eight cars were damaged but the former President escaped unhurt, local reports said.

The agitators were supporters of an independent candidate, who had failed to get the Jatiya Party’s nomination.

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