Voting begins in Bangladesh parliamentary by-elections

Dhaka - Voting began Saturday in Bangladesh in a parliamentary by-election amid tight security measures following earlier clashes between supporters of the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The Election Commission has deployed as many as 3,500 security personnel to the southern district, where a parliamentary seat fell vacant after the commission declared the incumbent's candidacy in the December 2008 general elections invalid. Polls opened at 8 am (0200 GMT) and are to close at 4 pm.

Voters have started queuing outside the polling stations from early morning, said Al Imran Garjon, an election observer posted in the southern Lalmohon sub-district.

"There have been no reports of violence so far," he added.

Election officials said they have taken all necessary preparations to hold a free and fair election.

The opposition BNP alleged that Awami-League supporters were trying to rig the election and threatened protests.

Media reports said at least 30 people were injured in pre-election violence between supporters of the Awami League and BNP Friday.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320330,voting-begins-in-bangladesh-parliamentary-by-elections.html.