Hartal, a long-missing word in Bangladesh politics, has hit headlines again when BNP called a dawn-to-dusk shutdown for Sunday after five years, rejecting the results of the elections to the two Dhaka city corporations.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Thursday hoped that there will be a “free and fair” contest in the elections to the two city Dhaka city corporations where people will be able to cast their votes in a “festive and peaceful” atmosphere.

BNP on Sunday briefed foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka about the violation of election code of conduct reportedly by ruling party activists, including attacks on its candidates, and overall atmosphere of the elections to two Dhaka city corporations billed for February 1.