A Bangladeshi supporter of the 19-party alliance shouts slogans during a rally in Dhaka, 10 Jan 2007

A key political alliance in Bangladesh is vowing to hold non-stop demonstrations against upcoming elections as the army deployed tens of thousands of troops across the country.

The leader of the 14-member Awami league, Sheikh Hasina, told a mass rally Wednesday the coalition will extend blockades that have already severely disrupted the capital, Dhaka, for three straight days.

Hasina said supporters will rally around the president's house on January 14 and launch a nationwide strike a few days after that.

After days of clashes between protesters and riot police, Bangladesh's interim government Wednesday began deploying about 60,0000 soldiers to perform electoral duties and maintain security.

The Awami League is boycotting the January 22 elections, accusing the interim government of rigging the vote. It is demanding the ballot be postponed until electoral reforms are put in place.

Thousands of people have protested in defiance of a ban on demonstrations. More than 200 people have been injured and scores of others arrested.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.