Thousands of activists marched in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Saturday on the fifth day of countrywide road protests by the opposition alliance. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also launched a three-day programme of countrywide road marches to counter the opposition's show of strength.
The 14-party opposition group led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is trying to force the government to implement electoral reforms ahead of January's parliamentary polls. Steel-helmeted riot police and members of the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) escorted the three-km (two miles) march in the city, a Reuters reporter on the scene said.
Witnesses estimated 30,000 people joined the opposition rally in driving rain, chanting "carry out reform or step down" and "there will be no election without reforms". They held banners and posters, and also carried wooden boats - the traditional election symbol of the Awami League - on push carts. The march ended peacefully.
Witnesses said the BNP's march also drew thousands of participants. The opposition wants the immediate removal of chief election commissioner M.A. Aziz and his deputies for their alleged pro-government bias, and a say in choosing the head of a caretaker administration which will supervise the election.
Awami's general secretary Abdul Jalil said the opposition parties would "not only boycott but also resist the election" unless the reforms were implemented. The current phase of Awami-led road marches will end on Sunday when the opposition is expected to announce a fresh round of protests.