Ahead of Sunday's general election, the Bangladeshi government has deployed troops across the country amid growing fears of violence. Tension between the ruling and opposition parties has intensified as polling day draws near.

Armed forces were rolled out in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday, ostensibly to help the election commission maintain security. The military has said it will intervene only if asked to do so by polling officers.

Protests led by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have seen violence since late October. The BNP is boycotting the poll after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is seeking a fifth term in office, rejected its calls for her resignation. It claims a fair vote is impossible under her government.

Hasina has condemned the BNP for instigating the protests, which have seen thousands of its leaders and supporters arrested or jailed. The United Nations and Western countries are calling for free and fair elections.