Activists torch polling centres ahead of Bangladesh elections

Activists angry at election arrangements torched atleast 28 polling stations in Bangladesh ahead of Sunday's vote that is being boycotted by major opposition parties, officials saidSaturday, according to dpa.The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led (BNP) alliance called anationwide strike to block the elections."We have alternative polling stations for taking votes as some of the centres were gutted completely," said Humayun Kabir Khandaker, chiefadministrator of southern Feni district.He said at least 800 army troops would be on patrol in the districto bolster police strength.Police said an opposition activist was killed in the northern district of Lalmonirhat as Bangladesh Nationalist Party militantsclashed with supporters of ruling Awami League.Ten other people were injured in clashes ensued when the pro-strikeactivists tried to prevent shopowners from opening, Mohammad Aslam Khan, additional chief of district police, said.Some shops were also reportedly torched. BNP chief and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has demanded postponement of the elections andthe installation of a non-partisan caretaker administration to oversee the process.Election authorities set up more than 18,000 voting stations in 147 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies where voting will take place.Voting for the remaining seats has been deemed unnecessary becausethose constituencies have only one registered candidate each.The Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected toretain power in the sharply divided country.More than 120 people have been killed in street clashes linked to the political crisis since late November.