It could be a landslide victory for Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid claims from opposition of rigged voting on Sunday in which clashes at different places between rival supporters killed seventeen people.
According to BNP spokesman Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal irregualrities were seen in 221 seats and Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami said to be rejecting the election results.
He added that voters, especially women voters, in many booths were not allowed to enter.
High speed internet services were shut down by mobile operators on order of authorities to prevent spread of rumors and fear unrest on the election day. One of the independent TV news channels said its broadcasts were purposely blocked from televising.
Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh, and she was gifted victory in 2014 when the election was boycotted by the BNP citing unfair voting.
In last three decades leadership in the country has alternated between her and BNP chief Khalida Zia, who is currently in Dhaka jail facing uncertain future and is reported to be partially paralysed.
Voting started early morning at 8 a.m. and wrapped up at 4 p.m. Usually it takes about 24 hours for the declaration of final results. As of now voting is under progress and Hasina is leading.
Casting her vote in Dhaka Hasina said, “I’m always confident about our victory in the elections… I trust my people and I know that they will choose us so that they can get a better life in future.”
