Opposition continues to protest demanding a new Election Commission. UN envoy arrives in the capital as Secretary General Annan expresses concern over the situation.

Dhaka (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Unrest and street protests continue in Bangladesh. Thousands of protesters rallied in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka today and surrounded the country's main administrative secretariat as a UN envoy flew in to calm the situation ahead of elections in January.

Eyewitnesses said activists from the Awami League, a 14-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina, have choked streets leading to the secretariat, preventing officials from going in or out.

The authorities have deployed hundreds of police officers in anti-riot gear to stop clashes.

For weeks Bangladesh has seen violent street protests which just a few days ago forced Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz to take three months' leave, leaving one of his deputies, Mahfuzur Rahman, in charge.

The Awami League however wants the removal of all Election Commission members too closely connected to the outgoing government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Jamaat-e-Islami party ally.

At least 40 people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes between political rivals since late October.

In Dhaka today Craig Jenness, director of the U.N. Electoral Assistance Division, began a three-day visit.

Jenness should meet President Iajuddin Ahmed, who is head of the caretaker government, Khaleda Zia, Sheik Hasina and members of civil society groups.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is concerned about unrest in Bangladesh in advance of parliamentary elections scheduled for January, his spokesman said yesterday.

• bangladesh
• elections
• january
• 2007
• demonstrations
• protest
• united
• nations