Dhaka, Jan. 7 -- Under a dark cloud of violence, Bangladesh gears up for a general election boycotted by the BNP after weeks of political protests and clashes - seen as a test for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which refused to step down and transfer power to a caretaker administration.

The election materials were sent to the polling stations earlier, and the ballot papers will reach the centres by Sunday morning amid strict security measures.

The voting will be held at 42,000 centres in 299 out of 300 constituencies from 8am to 4pm. The election to one centre will be held later as a candidate died there.

Nearly 120 million voters will pick up their representatives from among around 2,000 candidates.

With the BNP stay...