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DHAKA, Feb 4 (AFP) - Some 200 more people were injured in violence during Bangladesh's staggered local elections as the poll chief said the process was "more or less futile", press reports said Tuesday.

The 200 were injured in scattered violence across the country on Monday, the Daily Jugantor newspaper said.

At least 13 people have been killed and several hundred injured since two months of voting began January 25. Tuesday was the tenth day of polling.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Abu Syed expressed his dismay over the elections, saying it was "more or less a futile exercise," but said he would not resign.

"The elections do not reflect people's choice," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Star newspaper in comments late Monday about the poll violence.

Syed said the authorities had failed to provide a level-playing field for the contestants and "powerful candidates are taking advantage, capturing polling centres and intimidating their rivals.

"The painful and unfortunate incidents would tell on the country's image abroad," he said.

The Election Commission has called for the army to be deployed to prevent further violence during the elections, which end on March 16.

But the government has repeatedly turned down the request for an army deployment, saying there was no precedent for army invovement in local elections. But it assured that appropriate action would be taken to ensure peaceful voting.

Troops had been on the streets until last month during a controversial three-month deployment by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to reduce crime.

Syed said the commission "did not request for troops on election duty out of a whim. It was what the voters, candidates and the election officials had demanded."

He said the polls would continue despite the situation and asked if he would resign in protest, he replied "there is no reason why I should."

Voting has been put off in 55 of the country's 39,372 polling centres due to violence or other complications, an Election Commission spokesman said.

A total of 198,704 candidates are contesting the local council seats, including 42,250 women vying for the 2,684 seats reserved for them.

The elections are officially held on a non-party basis, but political parties indirectly nominate candidates to ensure a foothold at the grassroots level. 

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