BNP secretary general on Monday said the election campaign kicked off across the country without ensuring a level-playing field.

‘The election campaign began today (Monday), but we see there’s no level-playing field,’ he told at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

The BNP leader said their party candidates cannot smoothly carry out election campaign as their leaders and activists are still being arrested by law enforcers. ‘Our senior leaders are also still in jail.’

He alleged that their party leaders, including some candidates, are not getting bail from the lower court due to frequent deferment of hearing date. ‘It’s unfortunate that the judiciary has been used to delay our leaders’ bail.’

Fakhrul called upon the government and the Election Commission to create a proper atmosphere so that all can carry out electioneering, reports the UNB.

He also demanded the government release their chairperson Khaleda Zia and their party’s arrested election candidates.

The BNP leader said he will go to Thakurgaon on Tuesday to start election campaign at his home constituency. ‘I’ll also go to Bogura for electioneering and return to Dhaka two days later.’

Fakhrul is contesting the upcoming parliamentary polls from two seats--Thakurgaon-1 and Bogura.