Bangladesh, Sept. 18 -- With the official campaign period set to end tonight, parts of Bagerhat district are approaching Monday's union parishad elections buzzing with anticipation.

Despite the BNP's refusal to participate significantly reducing the competitive edge to the p0lls, the presence of Awami League rebel candidates in a number of unions - more than the Jatiya Party candidates - has meant that not all the ruling party-backed candidates can afford to take things easy.

Aware of the potential for embarrassment, the AL central command has not shied away from coming down hard against their rebel candidates.

So far, the party has sacked 22 chairman candidates for mounting rebel candidacies upon failing to secure the party's official...