BITTER CONTEST

11 Dead in Bengal Election Clashes

Opposition refuses to take part.

At least 11 people were killed Sunday in violence tied to Bangladesh’s bitter election, which the opposition has boycotted. Bangladesh’s elections usually have hours-long lines to vote, but many stayed home this time in fear. In fact, one polling station in Dhaka reported just 25 ballots out of 24,000 registered voters. Meanwhile, local media reported 100 polling places were torched overnight, and police fired on protesters who tried to take over in the northern Rangpur district and Nilphamari district. The government is assured a victory by default, although the opposition Bangladesh National Party has called the election a “scandalous farce” and has imposed a 48-hour strike.