Dhaka, Feb. 8 -- Abdur Rahim Farazi, a political activist in Bhola's Monpura, had been eagerly preparing to vote. Until recently, the area seemed calm. Then a clash on Friday between rival parties shook the island Upazila.

"They are trying to muddy the waters," he said, referring to what he described as an "opportunistic" party. Yet he insisted: "Whatever happens, people will go to vote."

At least eight people were injured in the Monpura clash between the BNP and Jamaat e Islami activists. A week earlier, on Jan 31, 15 people were injured in a similar confrontation in Borhanuddin Upazila. Both sides have traded accusations.

Such incidents are not isolated.

On Saturday, two people were shot in Munshiganj Sadar amid clashes between the ...