Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led 20-Party Alliance on Friday urged the government and the Election Commission (EC) to create an equal opportunity for all candidates in the upcoming elections to three city corporations.

In a statement, signed by BNP joint secretary general Barkatullah Bulu, the alliance said, ‘The government and the Election Commission should ensure the same opportunity for all the contenders in the three city corporations’ polls.’

The alliance warned that the government and the EC will not be able to shirk their responsibility if any evolving situation is created in the future due to any negative means taken by them.

Besides, it said the government should save the nation from a serious uncertainty by arranging a national election under a non-party administration on completion of the city polls.

‘It’s not a good sign for the nation and the ruling party the way the government is showing its stubbornness over the people’s justified demand,’ the 20-party warned.

It said people are waiting for the release of all the missing opposition leaders and activists, including BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed.

‘The 20-party and the country’s people expect that all the leaders and activists made disappeared by law enforcers will be produced before public while the opposition men, including senior leaders, will be released and mass arrest will be stopped,’ the statement read.