"We hope that the president will remain completely free from showing any kind of direct or indirect favour or disfavour to any person, party or alliance," a press statement issued by the citizens' group said.

The citizens who made the appeal are -- Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, ASM Shajahan, M Hafiz Uddin Khan, AHM Noman, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Mohammad Jahangir, Advocate Md Shamsuddin, Mostaq Ahmed, Illias Kanchan, Tushar Rehman, Harunur Rashid, Zakir Hossain, Dr Khurshid Alam, Brother De Suja, Dr Tofael Ahmed, Justice Golam Rabbani and Asif Nazrul.

The statement signed by AHM Noman also said that they hope that the caretaker government will make certain the neutrality of the administration before and after the election.

"By resisting dishonesty, rigging, black-money and muscle-men in the polls, it will ensure that the honest and fit candidates contest the election," they expected.

The citizens also appealed to the chief of the caretaker government to make immediate reshuffle in the election commission and the public administration so as to make these neutral and acceptable to all. They also urged him to implement the electoral reform issues, about which the civil society and the political parties have reached a consensus.

The caretaker government will restore peace in the society by taking a strict stance against corruption and criminal activities, they further hoped.