UN human rights experts expressed alarm about political violence, restrictions on freedom of expression and the rise of religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh ahead of the election, according to a statement issued in Geneva on Thursday.

The Election Commission, judiciary and police have joined hands to destroy the country's democracy, the BNP alleged yesterday.

Bringing accusations of nomination business against the BNP, Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged that the party was either plotting to rig the coming election or foil it.

The government has declared December 30 as a public holiday to enable the voters to cast their votes without hassles from work-related commitments.

The law and order situation centring the upcoming parliamentary election is better than ever, and law enforcers are well prepared to ensure a peaceful environment during the polls, said Inspector General of Police Mohammad Javed Patwary yesterday.

With the national election only eight days away, electoral violence have been continuing unabated across the country.

As the election day draws nearer, more and more BNP leaders are skidding off the race. Latest, five opposition aspirants lost their candidacies yesterday following a High Court order.

Children in Jashore's Malopara village still have nightmares of people coming to attack them. And with the election on the horizon, panic has spread even among the adults.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the Awami League candidate for Natore-3, may have broken the election law by offering cash donation to villagers in his constituency.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan's all-round performance, which included his maiden T20I five-wicket haul, helped Bangladesh bounce back to level the three-match series as the Tigers registered a comfortable 36-run win over the West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

With Farmers Bank, no-one knows when the woos will end. And as days go by, more and more depressing statistics are coming out.

The BNP's official website -- www.bnpbangladesh.com -- was blocked last week as it contained “distasteful” content, said the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday evening in an e-mail to the Election Commission.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said she did not want to go to power by any means which might destabilise peace in the country.

The Jatiya Oikyafront has urged the international community to take notice of the prevailing electoral atmosphere in Bangladesh where opposition candidates are being frequently attacked.

The Election Commission yesterday directed police to withdraw three officers-in-charge.

Seven contenders for the December 30 election came under attack by alleged Awami League men in separate incidents yesterday.

Picking a comparatively new face for Jhalakathi-2 and attacks on the candidate have hampered the BNP's election campaign in the constituency, comprising Sadar and Nalchity upazilas.

Top leaders of the Jatiya Oikyafront yesterday said December 30 would be the “day of freedom” for the country's people as no one would be able to snatch their victory in the 11th parliamentary election.

The rift between the chief election commissioner and an election commissioner has deepened further over the issue of level playing field.

The High Court yesterday summarily rejected BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's three writ petitions challenging the Election Commission decision that upheld the cancellation of her nomination papers by returning officers.