Polls closed in Bangladesh’s general election on Sunday. <br /><br />The ballot was boycotted by the main opposition party, a move that undermines the legitimacy of the election, which was described by the international community as flawed.<br /><br />With fewer than half of the 300 seats being contested, voter turnout appeared low. <br /><br />The opposition demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down and appoint a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the vote.<br /><br />Hasina refused. Now her ruling Awami League party is poised to win. After the boycott, the outcome was never in doubt.<br /><br />Security was tight, with some 50,000 troops deployed around the country for the election.<br /><br />Attackers reportedly torched at least 100 school buildings across Bangladesh in overnight attacks. The buildings were to be used as polling stations.<br /><br />On Sunday, voting was suspended nearly 150 polling centres because of attacks and vandalism. Many ballot boxes were emptied and destroyed.<br /><br />At least 18 people were killed in election-related violence.
