Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections on Jan. 7

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) — Bangladesh's Election Commission announced Wednesday that parliamentary polls will be held on Jan. 7 next year.

Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal announced the election schedule after an address to the nation, with election campaigning to commence on Dec. 18 and continue until Jan. 5.

Security forces beefed up their presence around the commission building in the capital Dhaka after the announcement, as some opposition political parties, including main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), protested the announcement and demanded a neutral administration set the date.

Awal said they would hold the election in line with the country's Constitution.

Over 110.96 million voters are registered to cast their ballot to elect a total 300 parliamentary seats in the upcoming election.