Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said no credible election is possible under the Nurul Huda-led Election Commission (EC) as an ‘appalling situation’ is prevailing in election areas ahead of Monday’s upazila polls.

‘A terrible situation is persisting in the election areas ahead of tomorrow’s (Monday’s) elections to 18 upazilas due to Awami carders’ heinous attacks on BNP-nominated candidates and their supporters,’ he said.

The BNP senior joint secretary general came up with the allegation at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, reports UNB.

He alleged that ruling party men are issuing death threats to BNP candidates and attacking their houses at different upazilas, including Patuakhali’s Rangabali, Bagerhat’s Morelganj, Pabna’s Sujanagar, Kishoreganj’s Hossainpur and Kushtia’s Doulatpur.

The BNP leader alleged that Awami League activists are also intimidating the agents of their party candidates asking them not to go to polling stations.

Mentioning that Rangabali upazila is 25km off to CEC Huda’s village home in Patuakhali, he said the ruling party men with the help of the local administration and police are attacking and harassing BNP leaders and activists over the polls.

‘It’s now a big question how the CEC or his Commission will oversee elections across the country when he has failed to check election violence and terrorism in his own area,’ Rizvi observed.

He alleged that outsiders, equipped with arms, are frequently staging showdowns in the area and intimidating voters and BNP activists. ‘Though complaints have been lodged with the local administration, they’re no taking any action. Even no effective step has been taken by the CEC in this regard.’

Awami League has destroyed the entire election system, said the BNP leader, adding, ‘Sending free, fair and participatory polls into exile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a person the Chief Election Commissioner who is loyal to her and her party.’