Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- BNP leader Mirza Abbas has taken a narrow lead in the Dhaka-8 constituency as counting neared completion, while a dispute over thousands of cancelled ballots has triggered demands for a recount.

According to preliminary results from 108 of 109 polling centres, Abbas secured 56,552 votes, putting him ahead of Nasiruddin Patwary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), who received 51,572 votes.

The contest has remained tense since the evening, with both camps filing complaints to the returning officer.

At the centre of the dispute are 2,497 ballots that were cancelled after voters placed marks in the blank space beside the Sheaf of Paddy symbol of Abbas.

The BNP argues that these ballots reflect clear voter intent and sho...