Bangladesh poll booths set on fire on election eve, as opposition starts strike

Polling booths were set ablaze in Bangladesh on the eve of Sunday's general elections, while four people, including two children, were killed in a train fire that the government described as arson targeting democratic values.

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Friday's fire broke out at about 9pm local time, injuring eight passengers as it spread to four compartments of the Benapole Express headed for the capital, Dhaka.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has asked people to shun the poll and called a two-day nationwide strike from Saturday.

"The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election... shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen said.