What they said

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.

It was something hardly seen ever in any election in the country -- finding trace of the key opposition party was a real challenge, except for in its electoral symbol on ballot papers.

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.

Polling agents of BNP-led alliance candidates were barred from entering the voting centres and BNP supporters were driven out from the area in all 16 constituencies in Chattogram during yesterday's election.

Rejecting the 11th parliamentary election, several leftist political parties yesterday demanded a “re-election” under a “non-partisan caretaker government” as early as possible.

Jamshed Ali had to cast his vote for “boat” openly in front of the polling officials and agents, which is a blatant violation of the electoral code of conduct.

The ruling party supporters were seen stuffing ballot boxes from 1:45pm to 2:15pm at Gulshan Model School and College in Dhaka yesterday.

In the face of allegations that agents of BNP were hardly visible in polling centres across the country, the chief election commissioner (CEC) has claimed that they were not seen because they did not show up in the first place.

Awami League believes in democracy and has faith in the people, the party's president Sheikh Hasina said yesterday morning, after casting her vote. “We will accept whatever decision the people will make.”

HT Imam, co-chairman of the Awami League polls steering committee, yesterday said this election has proved that a free, fair and neutral one is possible under a partisan government.

It was 2:42pm when these correspondents entered a voting booth at Lalbagh Government Primary School in Natore sadar. A voter named Mobarak Hossain, 35, told the polling official his serial number -- 169 -- and his name.

Awami League is going to form the government for the third consecutive terms as the party has already gained more than 151 seats out of total 300 unofficially in the 11th national elections.

Former enclave residents under the Panchagarh's two constituencies exercise their franchise for the first time in 71 years. They are elated to have been able to cast votes under Panchagarh-1 and Panchagarh-2 constituencies in national election.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad is to fly to Singapore any time after January 15 next year for health checkup.

The 2018 general elections will remain as a “black chapter” in the history of Bangladesh, Islami Andolon Bangladesh said in a press release today.

Expressing gratitude to all, the ruling Awami League says that number of violence is significantly lesser than the elections of the past.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir says this election has become a mockery.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-4 Salahuddin Ahmed claims that he and some of his supporters have been assaulted when they went to visit a centre in the capital.