Dhaka: A pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party professionals’ group on Wednesday placed a six-point demand to Election Commission, including time extension to submit nomination papers for the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation elections by two to three days.

The six-member delegation under the banner of ‘Shoto Nagorik Committee’, led by Prof Dr Emajuddin Ahmed, placed the demands at a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad at the latter’s office.

The other members of the delegation are Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Jafarullah Chowdhury, Prof Mahbub Ullah, Abdul Hye Shikdar and lawyer Fahmida Nasrin Munni.

The delegation told the CEC that the last date for the submission of nomination papers should be extended for ensuring participatory polls.

Their other demands include ensuring a level-playing field for all the prospective candidates and their supporters, including those now either in jail or on the run facing false and political motivated cases, so that they can openly join the electioneering, taking steps to check the use of rams and muscle and ensuring the security of polling agents and those to be involved in electioneering.

Emerging from the meeting, Emajuddin said they urged the commission to take necessary steps so that the elections can be held in a free and fair manner without any fear.  

He said they urged the CEC to take measures so that the closed political offices of all political parties can be reopened and the elected public representatives are not removed from their posts.

Emajuddin said they told the EEC that there are many prospective candidates and their supporters who are either in jail or hiding to avoid arrest and police harassment. ‘We told the CEC to ensure an environment so that all can freely join the polls.’  

He said the CEC assured them of taking necessary measures to hold a free and fair election.

Asked whether they sought army deployment during the polls, the ex-DU VC replied in the negative.

Replying to another question, he said, ‘BNP will take a decision whether it joins the polls or not. In a democratic system, all parties should participate in elections.’  

Though the delegation members are close to BNP, they claimed that they had been at the Commission on behalf of the ‘Shoto Nagorik Committee’, not for BNP.

Jafarullah Chowdhury said they urged the Commission to allow a good number of polls observers during the elections.

Khandaker Mahbub said the ECC assured them of holding a free and fair election. ‘Now he’ll have to prove it with his actions.’  

He said they told the ECE that a credible election can be held if he sincerely tries to do so. ‘You can make a history by holding fair and impartial polls.’

Asked whether BNP will join the polls, Mahbub said the party may take a positive decision in this regard if the torture and repression on the opposition leaders and activists are stopped.  

The SCBA president also said he had conversations with Khaleda Zia over the issue and she told him the decision will be finalised in the party forum. ‘I found her positive about joining the polls.’

Earlier on Tuesday night, the pro-BNP professionals had a meeting at Emajuddin’s city house and decided to meet the CEC.

Though the last date for submission of nomination papers is 29 March, BNP is yet come up with any formal announcement about its joining the city polls.

Party sources said the BNP chief has given the green signal to its prospective candidates to collect nomination peppers.

Meanwhile, some BNP leaders collected nomination papers in the afternoon to contest the polls.