Dhaka: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Thursday said he still hopes BNP will participate in the next general election.

‘Still, I hope BNP will participate in the next general election...we’ll hold an inclusive election,’ he said while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban here at noon.

The CEC said, ‘The atmosphere for holding the election is good and it’ll remain so. Directives have already been given to take proper steps so that city polls don’t get questionable before the national election.’

Replying to a quarry about additional security measures during the upcoming city polls, he said, ‘There’s no need for additional security, the relevant law has not been changed...measures will be taken according to the law.’

Earlier, a meeting over Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal city corporation elections was held with the CEC in the chair. Election Commissioners Mahbub Talukdar, Md Rafiqul Islam, Brigadier General (ret) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury and Kabita Khanam were present.