Islamists boosted by Bangladesh mayhem: Analysts

Last Updated: Monday, January 6, 2014, 12:05

Bangladesh`s main Islamist party was banned from weekend elections and many of its leaders are in custody or face execution, but moves to marginalise Jamaat-e-Islami will ultimately backfire, analysts say.

Low turnout due to opposition boycott, fog: Bangladesh CEC

Last Updated: Sunday, January 5, 2014, 21:20

Bangladesh Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday blamed boycott by opposition parties and thick fog for low voter turnout in the controversial polls held amid deadly clashes.

Hasina: Democracy icon overseeing Bangladesh `poll farce`

Last Updated: Sunday, January 5, 2014, 10:54

To her supporters, she remains Bangladesh`s "Daughter of Democracy". But by forging ahead with a one-party election, opponents say Sheikh Hasina has killed off political pluralism in the fledgling nation.

2 dead in violence in Bangladesh, BNP calls shutdown

Last Updated: Friday, January 3, 2014, 21:11

Bangladesh`s main opposition party BNP on Friday called for a fresh 48-hour shutdown to derail Sunday`s polls with its chief Khaleda Zia asking people to boycott the "farce" election, even as two people were killed in clashes and five makeshift voting centres torched.

Elections without BNP unacceptable to 77% Bangladeshis: Survey

Last Updated: Friday, January 3, 2014, 18:56

Over three-quarters of Bangladeshis believed the January 5 election would be "unacceptable" without the main opposition BNP`s participation, and only 41 per cent would vote, according to a new survey.

Bangladesh ruling party poised to cruise as opposition boycotts poll

Last Updated: Friday, January 3, 2014, 18:05

With a brass band, horse-drawn carriages and political posters flapping overhead, the rally in an old section of the Bangladesh capital had all the trappings of a spirited election.

British envoy meets Zia as anti-govt protests continue

Last Updated: Monday, December 30, 2013, 20:51

With the war of words between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia escalating, the British envoy on Monday met the opposition BNP leader, virtually under house arrest, as her party remained adamant over derailing the January 5 general elections.

1 killed as fresh clashes erupt in B`desh amid march on Dhaka

Last Updated: Sunday, December 29, 2013, 16:33

Defying a ban, hundreds of opposition BNP supporters today took to the streets of the Bangladeshi capital and clashed with security forces who tried to foil their attempt to seige government offices to derail the January 5 polls, leaving a student dead.

Policeman killed in Bangladesh violence

Last Updated: Friday, December 27, 2013, 15:32

A policeman was killed overnight after suspected activists of main opposition BNP and its radical ally Jamaat hurled a bomb at a police van.

Bangladesh PM Hasina ready for fresh polls if BNP cuts Jamaat ties

Last Updated: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 23:30

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said she was ready to hold fresh elections if the BNP-led opposition cuts ties with the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami.

Little chance of BNP joining polls: Bangladesh minister

Last Updated: Sunday, December 15, 2013, 20:16

Bangladesh Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said Sunday the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are holding talks to end the political deadlock.

Over half candidates in Bangladesh polls to be elected unopposed

Last Updated: Sunday, December 15, 2013, 15:36

A record 151 candidates are set to be elected unopposed to the 300-seat parliament in Bangladesh following main opposition BNP`s boycott of the January 5 general elections.