Strongly denouncing the election-day violence in Bangladesh, Western powers have said there are “credible” reports that polls irregularities marred the voting on December 30.

Sunday's election revealed an intriguing voting behaviour in Barishal district. In the district's six constituencies, the BNP candidates not only suffered a crushing defeat, but two of its runners did not even get a single vote in many polling centres.

Accolades continued to shower upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party Awami League's landslide victory in the national election.

Most of the lawmakers-elect of the Jatiya Party yesterday said the party should join the Awami League-led new government.

Condemning violence in Bangladesh, the United Nations has urged all sides to show restraint and ensure a peaceful post electoral environment in the country.

Schoolchildren yesterday began their New Year with the refreshing smell of new textbooks

The newly elected parliament members will be sworn in tomorrow and the new cabinet may take oath on Sunday.

A journalist has been arrested in Khulna in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for publishing “false” information on the number of votes cast in a constituency during Sunday's polls.

Nearly half of the BNP candidates who took part in Sunday's election lost their security deposits for failing to secure the minimum votes, according to an analysis of the results of 214 constituencies.

The BNP high command has directed the party candidates of Sunday's polls to collect centre-wise results and information on “election anomalies” by today.

In the first parliament 45 years ago, none of the parties was recognised as official opposition due to their poor strength in the House.

BNP leaders elected in the 11th parliamentary polls will not take oath as they have already rejected the results, alleging various irregularities including ballot stuffing and ouster of opposition polling agents from voting centres.

A polling centre in Dhunat upazila in Bogura-5 constituency was one of the centres to record a 100 percent voter turnout, which is generally considered to be a rarity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday held the BNP responsible for its polls debacle. “The BNP got seven seats in the election only because of them. There is no fault on our part,” she told foreign election observers and the media at the Gono Bhaban.

Heads of state and government, including from India and China, have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party's landslide victory in Sunday's national polls.

Election violence claimed at least 18 lives yesterday, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country. More than 200 others were injured in clashes between rival Awami League and BNP supporters in 24 districts.

It was around 3:50pm when Sirajus Salekin went to a polling centre at University Laboratory School and College on Dhaka University campus yesterday to cast his vote.

What they said

Jatiya Oikyafront yesterday demanded the Election Commission immediately scrap the “farcical election” and hold a fresh one under a nonpartisan interim government.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has led her party to a third consecutive win in parliamentary polls, securing two-thirds majority in yesterday's election held in an atmosphere dominated by the ruling party men.