Changes to Bangladesh election law

A number of new amendments to the Bangladesh election law have come into effect, which the country's election commission has said are essential for a free and fair poll.

A correspondent for the BBC in Dhaka says one of the most controversial amendments to the law will empower the army to make arrests without warrant on election day.

Another provision requires political parties to register with the election commission in order to get certain privileges while campaigning in the run-up to the contest.

The new law also raises the limit on election expenses for individual candidates and parties.

Our correspondent says that although the amendments fall far short of recommendations made by the country's election commission, the changes are likely to bring much needed reform to Bangladesh's political system.

Parliamentary elections are due in two months.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service