Dhaka, Jan. 7 -- Polling in the 12th parliamentary election -- boycotted by the main opposition BNP -- has closed amid sporadic incidents of violence and allegations of irregularities by some candidates.

Balloting took place in 299 constituencies from 8am to 4pm amid a nationwide hartal called by the opposition on Sunday.

The presiding officers allowed voters who were waiting in the queues within the stipulated time to cast their votes afterwards.

Voting in seven of the 42,000 polling stations across 299 seats was suspended due to irregularities.

The Election Commission also disqualified the Awami League's Mustafizur Rahman from the Chattogram-16 race for violating the electoral code of conduct. The incumbent MP allegedly threatened l...