Police in Bangladesh fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protestors attempting to enforce an eight hour road block across the country.
Police said demonstrators hurled petrol bombs and set fire to vehicles, turning an area of the capital Dhaka into a battleground between opposition groups and pro-government supporters.
At least two people were killed and scores hurt. Dozens of vehicles were set alight.
The BBC reports the blockade was held to press for an independent body to oversee next year's election.
The government last year abolished a system under which caretaker officials take charge ahead of elections to try to ensure elections were conducted in an impartial manner.
The Bangladesh National Party called for the blockade to try to force the government to restore the system.
But the government says it abolished the system following a court order and has no intention of reversing it.
The BBC reports politics in Bangladesh has been dominated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who leads the BNP, for decades. Their election campaigns have prompted military intervention in the past.
