Bangladesh’s main opposition party starts a 48-hour general strike ahead of Sunday’s election

By JULHAS ALAM
Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh’s main opposition party has started a 48-hour general strike on the eve on a general election, calling on people to boycott the vote because it says the government of incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can’t guarantee its fairness. Hasina is seeking to return to power for a fourth consecutive term. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former premier Khaleda Zia, has vowed to disrupt the election. On Saturday, seven men were arrested on suspicion of involvement in an arson attack on a train which killed four people. Campaigning has been marred by violence, with at least 15 deaths since October.