Bangladeshis Celebrate Election Minister's Departure

CHAN: A crippling four-day transport blockade has ended in Bangladesh, after the chief election commissioner stepped down. This comes under pressure from a 14-party political alliance to get him to resign.

STORY: Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz has agreed to take three months' leave to defuse pressure from the political parties. This comes ahead of general elections in January.

A 14 party alliance has demanded the removal of Aziz's deputies, accusing them of bias towards Bangladesh's Nationalist Party.

[Khaleda Zia, Nationalist Party Chief]: "The chief election commissioner has taken leave, and is away from his job. So now I think there is no reason to continue the blockade."

[Zia]: "I think they know that within 90 days the elections must hold. So there is not much time. Hope they will start their work to participate in the elections."

Thousands of opposition supporters gather on the streets of Dhaka for a victory rally.

[Mufazzal Hossain, Alliance Leader]: "As M.A.Aziz (chief election commissioner) has gone - due to pressure from the people he has taken leave - so we are celebrating the victory. It is the people's victory."

Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed says he hopes Aziz's departure will end weeks of protests.

Six people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes among rival groups over the past four days.

50 people are injured after an Awami League alliance rally was attacked by rivals.

Elections in Bangladesh have been violent and marred by allegations of rigging and voter intimidation.

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