Dhaka: Accusing ruling party men of breaching the election code of conduct at many places across the country during submission of nomination papers on Thursday, BNP on Friday demanded the removal of the returning officers who did not take action against such violations.

BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon made the demand at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

‘We’ve noticed how the ruling party men violated the election code of conduct at different places. Ruling party lawmakers at many places led their party’s candidates during the nomination submission breaching the rules,’ Ripon told reporters.

He further said, ‘We want to clearly state that the returning officers who did not take action against the election code of conduct violation in their areas must be pulled out. If they are not withdrawn, the election won’t be fair.’

The BNP spokesman said their party hopes the Election Commission will take proper action in this regard.

He alleged that the ruling party activists did not allow any one rather than their party men to file nomination to vie for 33 councillor posts in Feni’s three municipalities-Feni Sadar, Daganbhuiyan and Pashuram.

Ripon said the government is continuously arresting their party men even after announcement of the schedule for the municipal polls.

He alleged that law enforcers arrested 85 BNP activists from different upazilas of Jamalpur on Thursday, creating fear of getting arrested among local people.

Besides, he said, the law enforcers arrested 47 opposition men from Nilphamari while 35 from Satkhira and 63 from Chittagong the same day. ‘We demand the government immediately stop such mass arrest to ensure a proper atmosphere for the election.’