Hundreds join Bangladeshi political protests

Hundreds of opposition protesters kicked off a nationwide strike for electoral reforms today by holding a demonstration in Bangladesh's capital.

About 15,000 security officials including members of a paramilitary force were deployed in Dhaka.

A police ban came after a 14-party alliance led by Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina said yesterday it would choke roads and rail links to the capital with sit-ins to press for the resignation of election officials accused of bias in January polls.