Vote counting starts

The election officials have started counting the ballots after voting in 234 municipalities across the country.

Voting in the first municipal polls on party lines in Bangladesh started at 8am and ended at 4pm amid tight security.

Earlier, Voting in 234 municipalities ended amid reports of violence, clashes, irregularities and boycott across the country.

Voting was halted in 25 centres of 10 municipalities across the country, with the Election Commission suspending five police officers for negligence in duty.

At least 25 mayor candidates from AL, BNP, Jatiya Party, independent, Awami League rebel and BNP rebel have boycotted the elections raising allegation of desperate vote rigging.

At least 67 people were injured in clashes at different polling centres in seven districts.