Bangladesh opposition ends six days of protests

DHAKA, July 30 (Reuters) Thousands of chanting and dancing supporters today took part in a colourful march through Dhaka as Bangladesh's opposition wound up a series of anti-government protests, witnesses said.

Protesters carried replicas of boats - the traditional election symbol of the main opposition Awami League party - virtually turning the march into an election campaign.

However, a 14-party alliance led by Awami chief Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed that it would ''boycott and resist'' a parliamentary election due next January unless the government carried out electoral reforms.

The opposition wants the removal of Chief Election Commissioner M A Aziz and his deputies, accusing them of pro-government bias, and is demanding a say in choosing the head of a caretaker administration to supervise the election.

Today was the last of six consecutive days of marches organised by Hasina's alliance designed to force Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to implement the reforms.

Khaleda ignored the demand and accused the opposition of trying to foil the election and disrupt democracy.

Witnesses estimated 50,000 people took part in the march, closely watched by police and security forces.

They chanted ''boat, boat, vote for boat,'' as they marched, carrying banners, placards and wooden boats on push carts.

The five-km march ended peacefully, a Reuters witness said.

The opposition was expected to announce fresh protests later today, Awami leaders said.

''The massive turnout in the series of marches since July 25 demonstrated people's strong support for the reforms needed to make the election free and fair,'' Awami general secretary Abdul Jalil said.

''We will keep adding pressure on the government until it bows to popular wishes.'' The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party also held march, the second day of a three-day programme designed to counter the opposition show of strength, witnesses said.

REUTERS PKS PM1818