Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed on Thursday declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in the country ahead of disputed elections on January 22, state television reported.
”The President, Professor Iajuddin Ahmed, has declared a state of emergency in the country and he will shortly address the nation through the Bangladesh Television [BTV] and Bangladesh Radio,” the state-owned BTV said.
The president also imposed a curfew, effective until further notice, the BTV said.
The emergency was declared after an alliance led by the main opposition Awami League announced a series of non-stop protests, blockades and strikes from next week to force the government to cancel polls scheduled for January 22.
The league and as many as 18 other opposition parties are boycotting the elections.
But the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which led the outgoing government, and its allies have said they will take part in the polls.
The government on Wednesday deployed about 60 000 troops across the country to stem violence that has already claimed at least 35 lives in the run-up to the elections.
Thousands of people rushed home following the announcement, leaving the streets of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka deserted. — AFP
