Strikes in districts on polling day

The BNP-led 18-Party opposition alliance has called for a 48-hour shutdown starting from a day before polling in several districts across Bangladesh.

Shutdown has been called in Rajshahi, Sirajganj and Patuakhali from Saturday to Sunday.

Strike has been called in Manikganj for Sunday and in Noakhali, Faridpur and Barisal for Saturday.

Earlier, a 48-hour shutdown was called in Chittagong and Sylhet.

The Opposition leaders say the shutdown was called to protest ‘confinement’ of Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia, framing alliance leaders in ‘false cases’ and demanding a fresh poll under a non-party government, cancelling the current polls schedule slated for Sunday.

The 10th parliamentary polls will be held on Sunday with the participation of 12 parties including the ruling Awami League.

Candidates of 153 constituencies have already been declared uncontested winners as there was no contestant against them in the wake of BNP-led alliance boycotting the polls.

The opposition alliance has enforced five spells of blockades since Nov 26 to press for a non-party government to supervise the polls.

The latest spell of non-stop blockade started on Jan 1.

In her addresses, Khaleda Zia has asked her party followers to stay on streets to resist the elections.

The announcement of latest shutdown, however, has not come from the party’s central unit. District chapters of the party have called the shutdown in their respective areas.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad had said on Thursday the Opposition’s nonstop blockade would not affect the polls.