UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has decried the violence in Bangladesh's general elections, urging restraint and peaceful settlement of electoral complaints.
"Violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable," read a UN statement Monday in response to questions on the Bangladeshi elections.
The United Nations regretted the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election day, according to the statement.
General elections were held in Bangladesh on Sunday, and more than 10 people were reported to have been killed amid violence in parts of the country.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League-led Grand Alliance won a landslide victory in Sunday's parliamentary polls, Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said on Monday.
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a key ally of the major opposition alliance, which saw the worst results in the elections, alleged that ruling party men resorted to widespread irregularities, including forcing out of their polling agents, stuffing ballots, assaulting and intimidating their supporters.
The UN said it welcomes the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years.
"We call on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful post electoral environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression," said the statement.
