Violence marks 1st local body polls in B'desh on party lines

Thousands of Bangladeshis on Wednesday voted in the country's first-ever local body polls on party lines, also contested by opposition BNP which had boycotted the 2014 general elections even as sporadic violence killed one person and injured 75 others.

Over 12,000 candidates from some 20 parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP, were contesting the polls in which there are as many as 7 million eligible voters for the election of mayors and councillors in 234 cities and towns.

Reports and witnesses said clashes between supporters of two councilor candidates in southeastern Satkania claimed one life while some 75 people were wounded as violence erupted in areas across Bangladesh.

Authorities were forced to halt voting in 25 centres of 10 municipalities.

The polls saw Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and ruling Awami League in a major face-off, though a large number of political groups and independent candidates were also contesting. 

At least 25 mayoral candidates from ruling Awami League, BNP announced their withdrawal from the race raising allegations of rigging by rival contenders during the voting.

BNP demanded re-election in 100 centres for "irregularities".