Polls closed in Bangladesh’s general election on Sunday.

The ballot was boycotted by the main opposition party, a move that undermines the legitimacy of the election, which was described by the international community as flawed.

With fewer than half of the 300 seats being contested, voter turnout appeared low.

The opposition demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down and appoint a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the vote.

Hasina refused. Now her ruling Awami League party is poised to win. After the boycott, the outcome was never in doubt.

Security was tight, with some 50,000 troops deployed around the country for the election.

Attackers reportedly torched at least 100 school buildings across Bangladesh in overnight attacks. The buildings were to be used as polling stations.

On Sunday, voting was suspended nearly 150 polling centres because of attacks and vandalism. Many ballot boxes were emptied and destroyed.

At least 18 people were killed in election-related violence.