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Hasina 'leads in Bangladesh poll' Hasina 'leads in Bangladesh poll'
(40 minutes later)
Early unofficial results from elections in Bangladesh suggest former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is set for a substantial win.Early unofficial results from elections in Bangladesh suggest former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is set for a substantial win.
But the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia, says it is too early for anyone to claim victory.But the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia, says it is too early for anyone to claim victory.
Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia have dominated politics for years and are again vying for power after two years of army-backed rule.Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia have dominated politics for years and are again vying for power after two years of army-backed rule.
Voting was peaceful and turnout high in the first election for seven years.Voting was peaceful and turnout high in the first election for seven years.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in the capital, Dhaka, says although final results of the parliamentary poll will not be known for some hours, supporters of the Awami League are already celebrating what could be a landslide victory.The BBC's Mark Dummett in the capital, Dhaka, says although final results of the parliamentary poll will not be known for some hours, supporters of the Awami League are already celebrating what could be a landslide victory.
But both the Awami League and the BNP have said they will not respond until official results are declared.
If the Awami League has won, it will be a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the two parties, says our correspondent. In 2001, the BNP won the election overwhelmingly.
Tight securityTight security
Election officials said the Awami League led its rivals by 84 seats to 16 in unofficial results and was ahead in many other constituencies of the 300-seat parliament, the Reuters news agency reports.Election officials said the Awami League led its rivals by 84 seats to 16 in unofficial results and was ahead in many other constituencies of the 300-seat parliament, the Reuters news agency reports.
In pictures: Bangladesh votesBattle of familiar foes'Joyous atmosphere' "We are heading for a majority," Awami League spokesman Abdul Kalam Azad was quoted as saying by other agencies.In pictures: Bangladesh votesBattle of familiar foes'Joyous atmosphere' "We are heading for a majority," Awami League spokesman Abdul Kalam Azad was quoted as saying by other agencies.
But this has been dismissed by a spokesman for the BNP, who has also complained of irregularities at the polls.But this has been dismissed by a spokesman for the BNP, who has also complained of irregularities at the polls.
Election officials say more than 70% of Bangladesh's 81 million voters are thought to have cast their ballots in a poll intended to return the country to democracy after two years of rule by a military-backed government.Election officials say more than 70% of Bangladesh's 81 million voters are thought to have cast their ballots in a poll intended to return the country to democracy after two years of rule by a military-backed government.
Security was tight throughout the day, with about 50,000 soldiers and 600,000 police deployed to guard against election fraud and violence.Security was tight throughout the day, with about 50,000 soldiers and 600,000 police deployed to guard against election fraud and violence.
Chief election commissioner Shamsul Huda said he had complete confidence in the election process and there was "no scope for fraud of vote rigging".Chief election commissioner Shamsul Huda said he had complete confidence in the election process and there was "no scope for fraud of vote rigging".
He went on: "So it will be difficult to reject the election result this time. We expect people will elect a parliament, which even if not a dream parliament, it will be a good one."He went on: "So it will be difficult to reject the election result this time. We expect people will elect a parliament, which even if not a dream parliament, it will be a good one."
Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - both former prime ministers - were jailed for suspected corruption but released to contest the vote.Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia - both former prime ministers - were jailed for suspected corruption but released to contest the vote.
During campaigning, the two rivals pledged to lower food prices, and to tackle corruption and terrorism in the nation of 144 million people.During campaigning, the two rivals pledged to lower food prices, and to tackle corruption and terrorism in the nation of 144 million people.
Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia also both promised to end the confrontation, strikes and violent street rallies that have marked Bangladeshi politics for years. The two women alternated in power for 15 years until 2006.Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia also both promised to end the confrontation, strikes and violent street rallies that have marked Bangladeshi politics for years. The two women alternated in power for 15 years until 2006.
Anti-corruption driveAnti-corruption drive
Strikes and violent protests have marked Bangladeshi politics No serious violence was reported during the election, and our correspondent says the mood at a polling station he visited was festive.Strikes and violent protests have marked Bangladeshi politics No serious violence was reported during the election, and our correspondent says the mood at a polling station he visited was festive.
Some 200,000 electoral observers, including 2,500 from abroad, monitored the national vote.Some 200,000 electoral observers, including 2,500 from abroad, monitored the national vote.
The army cancelled elections due in January 2007 after months of street protests and battles between gangs of rival party supporters spiralled out of control.The army cancelled elections due in January 2007 after months of street protests and battles between gangs of rival party supporters spiralled out of control.
The army-backed caretaker government then tried to root out corruption from the country's elites.The army-backed caretaker government then tried to root out corruption from the country's elites.
Our correspondent says the newly-empowered Anti-Corruption Commission sought to prosecute the top politicians and businessmen who had earned Bangladesh its reputation as one of the world's most corrupt countries.Our correspondent says the newly-empowered Anti-Corruption Commission sought to prosecute the top politicians and businessmen who had earned Bangladesh its reputation as one of the world's most corrupt countries.
More than 11 million phoney names were purged from the voter roll.More than 11 million phoney names were purged from the voter roll.
"This time we feel that there is an opportunity to proceed towards democracy," one voter told the BBC."This time we feel that there is an opportunity to proceed towards democracy," one voter told the BBC.
"I'm feeling very happy that there is this peaceful atmosphere for casting votes.""I'm feeling very happy that there is this peaceful atmosphere for casting votes."
A simple majority of the parliament's 300 seats is enough to secure victory, but analysts say if no clear winner emerges, it could lead to fears of unrest if supporters of the rival parties take to the streets. A simple majority of the parliament's 300 seats is enough to secure victory, but analysts have said that if no clear winner emerges, it could lead to fears of unrest if supporters of the rival parties take to the streets.