EU Urges End to Bangladesh Poll Violence

The European Union on Saturday called for an end to deadly pre-election violence in Bangladesh and said the bloc was willing to consider sending observers to the January 5 polls.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she remained "concerned" about the anti-poll unrest that has killed 20 people since Monday, bringing the death toll to 50 since late October when the government first announced the date of the general elections.

"We urge political leaders to refrain from any actions that could spark further violence," Ashton said in a statement, pressing Bangladesh "to respect human rights and democratic principles".

One demonstrator was shot dead by officers Saturday and another died late Friday as police used live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.

Opposition groups led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as well as its Islamist allies are demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign and make way for elections under a neutral caretaker government.

Hasina has rejected their demand and is sticking to her January poll plans.

"The EU calls on the leaders of all political parties to agree on a mutually acceptable formula so as to facilitate the holding of elections which fully reflect the wishes of the people," Ashton said.

"The EU is ready to consider sending election observers as it did in 2008. However, this depends on the political and security situation in Bangladesh," she added.