UN raps Bangladesh parties for election violence

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has criticized Bangladesh's two main political parties for the deadly violence that marred the country’s parliamentary elections.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon "is saddened by the loss of life and incidents of violence that marred yesterday's parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, which were characterized by polarization and low participation," AFP quoted UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq as saying on Monday.

"He regrets that the parties did not reach the kind of agreements which could have produced a peaceful, all-inclusive election outcome," the spokesman added.

At least 26 people were killed in the election-related violence in the South Asian nation.

The country’s main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the Sunday's vote and termed it a scandalous farce. It called for a 48-hour countrywide strike and demanded cancellation of the elections results.

The Bangladesh Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claimed a landslide win.

Ban "calls on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure first and foremost a peaceful and conducive environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression," said Haq.

The poll was the bloodiest since Bangladesh emerged as an independent state in 1971.

Violence "can never be acceptable," added the spokesman who said Ban called for the two parties "to resume meaningful dialogue and to urgently address the expectations of the people of Bangladesh for an inclusive political process."