Dhaka: BNP on Wednesday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is playing a ‘very inactive role’ in ensuring a level-playing field and fair election in Barishal City Corporation.

‘The ruling party mayoral candidate’s supporters are taking out processions all over the city in Barishal. But, police are obstructing BNP candidate Mujibur Rahman Sarwar from bringing out any procession,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he also alleged that the EC is working like a lifeless stone in Barishal and not taking opposition candidate’s allegations into its consideration.

‘The Election Commission itself is deadly against holding a free and fair election. The allegations of the opposition have no value to them,’ the BNP leader observed.

He alleged that Awami League leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah is carrying out electioneering in favour of the ruling party mayoral candidate in Barishal violating the election code of conduct.

Meanwhile, six leaders of BNP’s associate bodies Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Jubo Dal reached the capital from Chattogram and Cumilla by marching on foot demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release from jail.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir received the six yoths—JCD leaders Shahiduzzaman, Azim Uddin, Sohel Malto, Saddam Majumder and Sohel Rana and Jubo Dal leader Safiul Alam- with bouquets as they reached BNP’s central office in the afternoon.

They will go to jail gate on Thursday, said Rizvi.

Shahiduzzaman said he along with Saiful and Azim started marching towards Dhaka on foot from Chattogram city BNP’s office at 11am on July 5 protesting what he said unlawfully keeping BNP chief Khaleda Zia in jail and demanding her release.

He said Sohel Malto joined them in Sitakunda and while Saddam and Ranna in Cumilla.