Dhaka - Enthusiastic Bangladeshis cast their vote in a festive mode in a landmark election geared at restoring a democratic system in the South Asian nation after a two years under a military- backed administration.

Barring a few exceptions, the balloting was generally peaceful across the country, ATM Shamsul Huda, head of Bangladesh's Election Commission, said after visiting a number of polling stations in and around the capital Dhaka.

He said he expected voter turnout to be above 75 per cent.

An election official stationed in north-eastern Moulvibazar town told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that voter turnout was huge in the most polling centres. The large presence of female voters was also encouraging, he said.

"The election is fair, fair and fair," he told dpa via phone from a polling station in Mritinga Tea Garden where 2,200 out of a total of 2,500 votes were cast by 2:00 pm (0800 GMT).

People were seen waiting in long queues at polling stations from daybreak to cast their vote. Balloting began at 8:00 am amid tight security and would continue until 5:00 pm, election officials said.

Bangladesh's general election was originally scheduled for January 2007, but was postponed following the declaration of a state of emergency in the wake of political violence. The country has been under the rule of a military-backed caretaker government since.

Casting his vote at a city polling station, the head of the interim administration, Fakhruddin Ahmed said his government had been waiting for the day when the people could cast their vote fearlessly.

He called on the parties to accept the people's verdict and electors to choose honest and competent representatives to parliament.

Two former premiers - Sheikh Hasina Wazed and Khaleda Zia - the heads of rival political alliances also cast their votes and visited a number of polling centres.

Hasina alleged irregularities in many polling centres while the Zia said the polling was "so far so good."

Bangladesh's army chief Moeen U Ahmed, who had reportedly played a crucial role in the January 2007 political changeover, said he hoped that the parties would show respect to the people's choice.

The election is taking place in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies as the Election Commission earlier postponed polling in one area following the death of a candidate.

Election Commission head Huda said he hoped for a credible election to return the country to democracy.

In a televised speech on Sunday, he assured all necessary preparations for a free and fair election were made, inviting everyone to apply their voting rights without fear.

"I'm inviting all voters, regardless of political differences, to go to polling centres, taking the opportunity of the secure environment to cast their invaluable votes," he said.

The government deployed as many as 650,000 police and army officers across the country for election security.

The government earlier announced a pubic holiday to enable voters to cast their vote. (dpa)