“Our candidates are being barred from electioneering in different areas ahead of the local government elections, and our leaders and activists are being regularly threatened, intimidated while their houses are being raided,” said BNP acting office secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the elections to different upazilas, municipalities and union parishads billed for December 10, he also alleged that Awami League supporters are ransacking their candidates’ election camps and intimidating their election agents.

"On behalf of the BNP, we call on the Election Commission to create a congenial environment for the upcoming local government elections. Create a festive mood in the polls-bound areas by removing fear from voters’ minds taking appropriate measures,” said Prince.

He alleged that though their party has been lodging various complaints with the EC and the local administration, no step is being taken to ensure a proper voting atmosphere.

“There is no conducive environment for voting in the upcoming local government elections…we urge the Election Commission to play the role of a 'referee' instead of being loyal to the government and the ruling party,” the BNP leader said.

He said the EC should take immediate steps so that all the candidates can get equal opportunities to conduct electioneering and other polls-related activities, and the voters can go to the polling stations and cast their ballots without any fear.

Prince alleged that the ruling party ‘cadres’ ransacked BNP’s Kushtia unit office and attacked the business establishments of its general secretary Prof Sohrab Hossain. “They also attacked the house of our Magura unit joint convener Akhater Hossain.”

He strongly condemned and protested the incidents and demanded immediate arrest of the offenders.