At a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, the Parishad leaders urged the CA to accept the suggestions for ensuring an efficient and accountable civil administration for holding a free and fair election.

The suggestions include cancellation of all contractual appointments, withdrawal of all employees appointed on political consideration, removal of all nominated 'political persons' in different governing and managing bodies of different government and semi-government organisations and removal of 300 upazila election officers.

In a written statement, engineer Dr Golam Mostofa, secretary general of the Parishad, said the role of the president cannot be termed neutral as his (president) every step is creating untoward situation.

Though the 'controversial' Chief Election Commissioner MA Aziz went on leave, the Election Commission (EC) is still following his steps, he added.

Mostofa said although some reshuffles have been made in the administration, the loyalists of the immediate past government, specially the secretaries, are still occupying vital posts.

He said the reconstitution of whole EC is a must to ensure a free and fair election instead of changing some persons in the EC.

"A free, fair and acceptable election is impossible under the present set up left by the immediate past government, he said, adding the steps taken so far by the caretaker government is nothing but eyewash only.

Prof Dr M Iqbal Arslan, president of the Parishad, said they would submit a memorandum to the chief adviser soon.

Senior Vice-president agriculturist Nazrul Islam, Vice- presidents engineer Mesbahur Rahman Tutul, agriculturist Anwarul Haq, Dr Badiuzzaman Bhuiyan, Joint Secretaries Saidur Rahman Selim, Dr Jamal Uddin Chowdhury and engineer MM Abul Hossein were also present at the press conference.