The leader of the opposition in Bangladesh has called for a general strike and countrywide traffic blockade this week to force electoral reforms ahead of the January elections.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says that the blockade of railways, highways and waterways on Wednesday will be followed by a general strike the next day. She spoke on Monday at a rally in Dhaka, attended by 100-thousand people. Thousands of riot police patrolled the streets and the rally was peaceful.
A 14-party alliance led by Hasina has been urging the Bangladeshi people to "force Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to implement reforms" to ensure "free and fair elections."
The alliance, led by the Awami League, is calling for the removal of the chief election commissioner and his deputies, who they say are biased in favor of the government.
Matiur Rahman Choudhury has more on the story.
