Dhaka: Claiming that Chief Election Commissioner-designate KM Nurul Huda is few steps ahead of his predecessor Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed in upholding the ruling party's spirit, BNP on Friday urged him to stay aside from the constitutional post.

"A man of Janatar Manch, KM Nurul Huda is making remarks after being appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner like a devoted Awami League activist. His previous activities also suggest he is a committed Awami Leaguer," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayaplatan central office, he also said the country's people are in doubt whether there could be free, fair and neutral elections under Nurul Huda.

"Confidence is not created among people that the next parliamentary elections will be held under him (Huda) in a free and fair manner. So, the nation will welcome him if he steps down from the constitutional post showing respect for public sentiment," the BNP leader said.

He also said it will be farcical and voter-less polls if the next national elections are held under the new CEC.

Rizvi also criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his remark that BNP may become irrelevant in politics if it repeats the mistake by boycotting the next polls, saying his comment is like the 'delirium of demons'.

He alleged that Quader is spearing blatant lies, propaganda taking stance against democracy.

"I, one behalf of BNP, call upon the Awami League general secretary to tell the Prime Minister hold an election under a neutral interim government, and then it will prove which party becomes irrelevant in politics."