BNP today demanded that the Election Commission announce fresh election schedule since what the party said its candidates could not file nomination due to obstacle 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,” said BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon adding that “BNP mayoral candidates also faced obstacles in submitting nominations in Feni Sadar and Dagonbhuiyan municipality.”

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

“We demand that the Election Commission announce a fresh schedule in those municipalities for holding a fair poll,” he urged.

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

He demanded that the EC remove those ROs for the sake of fair election.

“If actions are not taken against the violators of electoral code of conduct, the country’s people will have no confidence about the possibility of a free and fair election,” he added.