Dhaka: BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Saturday said the unity of opposition political parties with a one-point demand for a credible election is a must to put an end to the current 'despotic rule', and 'restore' democracy and people's voting rights.

"We want to get rid of the current authoritarian rule. Establishing a government with people's vote is the only way to do so. We must forge a national unity for the restoration of democracy and people's voting rights," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, "All the democratic parties and those of us involve with politics, will have to get united with a one-point demand for holding the next election in a fair and neutral manner. Waging a united movement is the only way to realise the demand."

Adarsha Nagorik Andolan, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at National Press Club.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said political parties must make united efforts to mount pressure on the government as it is neither willing to reach a compromise nor quit power. "There may be a misunderstanding and disagreement among us. Let's agree on a matter to bring democratic practice back."

After forging a national unity, he said political parties can sign a deal pledging to strengthen democratic practice and democratic institutions and parliament.

Mentioning that parliament will have to make effective and stronger to consolidate democracy, the BNP leader said those who will be made the President and Speaker must resign from their political parties so that they can work neutrally.

Moudud said the current Election Commission EC) has been losing its acceptability for its failure to ensure a level-playing field since the Prime Minister and the ruling party leaders are carrying out an election campaign across the country seeking vote for their election symbol boat without giving any scope to the opposition parties to do so.

"Ensure our rights to seek vote and hold rallies. The Election Commission has failed to do it. Had the Commission been neutral, it would have sent a letter to the government asking it either to stop its election campaign or ensure same facilities for opposition parties, including allowing them to hold rallies," he observed.

The BNP leader also voiced anger over the transfer of the field-level EC officials without informing the Commission.

He also strongly condemned law enforcers' reported intervention in a meeting of political leaders and noted citizens at Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) president ASM Abdur Rob's Uttara residence on Thursday night.