The head of Bangladesh's military-backed interim government pledged that Monday's election for prime minister – the country's first poll in seven years – would be free and fair. The election is seen as crucial to restoring democracy in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, which has a history of military rule and political unrest. Still, the two top candidates are former prime ministers charged with corruption and many fear the election won't bring the reform the impoverished country of 150 million desperately needs. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the head of the interim government that took power when election were canceled in 2007, said the vote would go ahead as scheduled. “All along I have spoken about holding a free, fair and credible election, and that election is going to be held tomorrow,” Ahmed said Sunday, according to the United News of Bangladesh. Vying for the top post of prime minister are Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina – archrivals who have traded power back and forth for 15 years in successive governments marked by corruption, mismanagement and paralyzing protests. Zia was elected prime minister in 1991, Hasina in 1996, and Zia again in 2001. Scattered violence broke out Saturday between Zia and Hasina supporters, leaving 85 people injured in three different districts, the United News of Bangladesh reported, quoting police and witnesses. There was no reported violence Sunday.
