Dhaka: BNP on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to announce a fresh election schedule for the Union Councils where ruling party chairman candidates have been elected by default as other candidates could not file their nominations for obstructions.

‘We demand that fresh elections be held to the Union Councils where candidates could not reach the election offices to submit their nominations to contest the polls due to obstructions,’ UNB quoted BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman as saying.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, ‘We want to call upon the Election Commission to cancel the candidatures of those who have got elected unopposed by force, and take steps to arrange fresh elections there by exercising its own authority.’

The BNP leader said if the Commission takes this move it will help it a bit in restoring its image it lost for its mistakes and controversial role in the past.

Jatiyatabadi Desh Bachao Manush Bachao Andolan, a pro-BNP platform, organised the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

Noman said there is no instance of getting elected unchallenged in 100 years’ history of UP polls in the country. ‘People are seeing it for the first time due to the waywardness of the current regime.’

The BNP leader feared that the UP polls will not be free and fair, as voters will not be able to cast their votes like other elections held under the current Commission due to its subservient role.

Noman criticised the government for not giving their party permission to use any of their desired venues in the city to arrange its national council on March 19. ‘They (govt) are not giving us permission as they fear people and BNP. The government is thinking it’s a matter of panic as lakhs of people across the country will watch our council.’

He alleged that they cannot take proper preparation and complete their activities for the council as the government is yet to give them permission for using a specific venue though time is running out fast.

‘We demand the government immediately allocate a specific venue and area for holding our council,’ Noman said.

The BNP leader came down hard on the Prime Minister for censuring the editors of two national dailies in parliament and accused the government of trying to control the media.