Local Bangladesh vote a pointer for national polls

Dhaka: Bangladeshis go to the polls today to vote in the first phase of local elections amid enthusiasm stoked up by a court ruling allowing political parties, but overshadowed by a continuing state of emergency.

Election officials said hundreds of candidates had registered to stand for positions in four city corporations and nine municipalities, the first polls organised by the country's army-backed interim government since taking power in January 2007 and declaring emergency rule.

Authorities eased some emergency restrictions in voting areas to allow campaigning to take place, but refused to lift the emergency totally, fearing a return of the violence and vote fraud that has dogged previous elections.

Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda has dubbed the local polls as a "gateway to democracy" that would lead to national elections which the government has promised will be held before the end of the year. Today's vote will be followed by a series of more local elections until October.

City corporations, municipalities and other local councils enjoy sweeping power to govern, implement and oversee development projects and foreign financed disaster management. They have a strong influence in selecting candidates for national elections.

Voters say they are hoping to be able to cast their ballots without intimidation and rigging.

"We will not repeat the mistakes of the past and will try to elect the eligible and honest candidates," said Aminullah Miah, a voter in northern Rajshahi city.