Terming the steps an eyewash, they said the performance of Iajuddin is very poor and his activities in the last three days have failed to build people's trust.

To prove himself neutral, the President should first remove Chief Election Commissioner Justice MA Aziz, three election commissioners and the secretary of the Election Commission by November 3, they said at a press conference in the city.

Sammilita Nagorik Andolon organised the press conference where writers, cultural activists, university teachers and journalists placed a 11-point proposal to the caretaker government with a view to ensuring a free and fair election.

The first and foremost duty of Iajuddin as the chief adviser is to reshuffle the administration, particularly the civil and police, and recast the Election Commission in order to depoliticise them, said writer and columnist Shahriar Kabir.

Iajuddin can pass the preliminary test of neutrality if he removes the CEC and three election commissioners by November 3, said Proshika chief Dr Kazi Faruque Ahmed.

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association, said that although the caretaker government took over three days ago, the politicised administration, which is virtually an extension of the BNP, is still in place.

If such set-up is not changed, it will be impossible to hold a free and fair election, he added.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, editor of The Bangladesh Observer, called on the President to cancel all contractual appointments and prepare a new voter list as per the High Court order.

Golam Kuddus, a steering member of the Sammilita Nagorik Andolon, urged the caretaker government to remove 252 election officers who were appointed on political considerations.

Cultural personality Nasiruddin Yusuf said the BTV and Bangladesh Betar are still acting as the mouthpiece of BNP-Jamaat alliance, which is not acceptable at all.