Bangladesh deploys army troops ahead of general election

Army troops have fanned out across Bangladesh to ensure next Sunday's elections in the politically volatile South Asian country are carried out peacefully, officials said.

The soldiers moved into their positions early Monday and will remain there until January 2, Alamgir Kabir, head of the armed forces' Inter Service Public Relations department, told dpa.

They will help the civil administration to maintain order during the campaigning, voting and post-election period, Kabir said.

Troops will be stationed in 389 places while navy personnel will guard 18 points in the coastal districts, the Home Ministry said.

‘The holding of a fair and peaceful election largely depends on the proper role of law enforcement agencies,’ the ministry said in a statement, adding that the government was committed to holding a credible election.

Major political alliances and contestants have been campaigning to win over the more than 100 million voters in the December 30 polls.

The voters will choose 300 representatives from among more than 1,800 candidates for parliament.