Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday called upon the Election Commission (EC) to recover illegal arms apart from asking people to deposit their legal ones to ensure a congenial and peaceful atmosphere for Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls billed for 22 December.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also demanded the EC to ensure a neutral administration in Narayanganj withdrawing the partisan officials from there.

‘The illegal and legal arms are now being brandish in Narayanganj. So, we strongly demand the EC immediately recover the illegal arms and receive the legal ones to ensure a peaceful polls atmosphere,’ he said.

The BNP leader alleged that the godfathers are increasingly flexing their muscles since the schedule for the NCC elections was announced. ‘So, I also renew our party’s demand for deployment of army to ensure that the NCC polls will be held in a credible manner without any intimidation.’

He said the EC will have to be careful so that the ‘janaza’ (funeral) of the NCC polls is not held before the voting.

Rizvi said people are now waiting to see the EC arrange a competitive election ensuring voters’ right to franchise at the far end of its tenure.

‘The allegations have long been brought against the current Election Commission for destroying the election system. If the Commission has minimum sense of regret, it will be active so that the NCC election is held in a fair and neutral manner,’ he observed.

The BNP leader also alleged that the freedom fighters are regularly being tortured by the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies.

He said the ruling party men equipped with sharp weapons and sticks attacked freedom fighter Moktar Ahmed Mizan in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa recently. ‘Such serious incidents go under carpet due to the culture of impunity.’