BANGLADESH - The ruling party led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid won the parliamentary elections on Sunday, while the opposition alliance rejected the result and confirmed fraud.
The vote was marred by violence that killed 17 people, Reuters reported, quoting security sources. Clashes erupted between supporters of the ruling party and the opposition, while local media said police had shot at citizens.
Channel 24 said on the basis of unqualified results that the ruling Awami League had won more than 151 seats, which constitute an absolute majority in parliament, thus turning Hasina to a fourth term in power, the third consecutive state.
The result is far superior to that of the National Unity Front (FNP), which includes the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is loyal to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
"We reject the results and call for new elections under the supervision of a neutral government," opposition coalition leader Kamal Hussein told a news conference.
The BBC said its reporter saw ballot boxes full of cards at a polling station in Chittagong just before voting was opened.