Dhaka, Jan. 6 -- Bangladesh is set to hold the 12th parliamentary election on Sunday with the ruling Awami League's victory is guaranteed for a historic fourth consecutive term amid an opposition boycott.

The main opposition BNP and several other parties are sitting out of the polls, which are being participated by the Awami League and 27 other political parties.

Thanks to the opposition boycott the AL is expected to sweep the polls to again form the government and extend its 15-year rule for another five years until 2029, according to analysts.

The opposition is staying out of the race after Hasina's government rejected its demand to transfer power to a non-partisan administration to oversee a free and fair vote.

In a new development...