What they said

Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed yesterday told voters to go to the polling centres and cast their votes without fear as the army would be around.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called upon the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning and cast votes without fear.

Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Akbar Ali Khan says there is no alternative to a free and fair election for sake of strengthening democracy.

Eminent political scientist Rounaq Jahan thinks the election is a test case to demonstrate that in Bangladesh it is possible to organise a free, fair and competitive election under an elected political government.

After ten years, Bangladesh is back to a participatory election of sorts. Parties of all hue and colour are contesting the polls that is going to be held today. But the buck stops here.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all to make sure that parliamentary polls were not questionable in any way.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda gives instruction to the law enforcing agencies to maintain the law and order situation with an iron fist if there is any incident of violence during tomorrow’s election.

Just two days before the election, the BNP extended its support to independent candidate Salma Islam, a Jatiya Party presidium member running against Awami League nominee and business tycoon Salman F Rahman in Dhaka-1.

Security was stepped up further yesterday in the capital and elsewhere with the chief election commissioner expressing hope that tomorrow's polls would be held in a festive atmosphere.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday hoped that the army would create an atmosphere where voters could cast their votes safely in the tomorrow's election.

Major global media outlets and the international community, including the UN and the US, are set to keep their eyes on tomorrow's parliamentary election in Bangladesh.

At least 15 people were injured and 13 others arrested over violence in two districts yesterday, two days before the 11th parliamentary polls.

The Awami League has instructed its grassroots leaders and activists to be on high alert on the voting day to thwart any attempt to foil tomorrow's election.

A day after returning from Singapore, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad in a sudden move yesterday announced that his party leaders contesting from “open seats” would support the ruling Awami League-led grand alliance candidates.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain has urged people to bring about a "vote revolution" by exercising franchise, and said December 30 will be another victory day for the nation with the Oikyafront coming out victorious.

Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the BNP appeared to have sensed its defeat in Sunday's national election, and that the opposition party could attempt to sabotage the polls.

of 13 districts – Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj,

The number of local observers in the December 30 election decreased significantly as the NGO Affairs Bureau has not granted the No Objection Certificate to 15 Election Working Group members until yesterday.

The arson attack on Hindu houses in Banshkahli's Muhuripara area nearly six years ago still haunts the villagers.