BNP wants fresh polls schedules

BNP yesterday demanded that the Election Commission announce fresh polls schedules in places where its candidates could not file nomination papers due to obstacles created by the ruling Awami League men.

"The ruling party men did not allow anyone to file nominations for 33 councillor posts in three municipalities of Feni district. BNP mayoral candidates have also faced obstacles in submitting nominations in Feni Sadar and Dagonbhuiyan municipality," said BNP Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon.

Addressing a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, Ripon said the AL men tore up nomination papers of BNP mayoral and councillor aspirants in other districts.

Pointing to the violation of the electoral code of conduct by the AL mayoral and councillor candidates in different municipalities, Ripon said the respective returning officers did not take any action against the violators.

He demanded that the EC remove those returning officers for the sake of holding fair elections.

"The country's people will be in doubt over whether free and fair polls are being held if steps are not taken against violators of the electoral code of conduct," he added.