Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday alleged that ruling party ‘cadres’, administration and election officials have taken a joint ‘grand plan’ to ensure the victory of Awami League chairman candidates in the first phase of Union Council (UC) polls billed for 22 March.

The party also accused the Election Commission (EC) of working for fulfilling the wishes of the administration in the polls.

‘The Election Commission is an independent constitutional body. But, it’s working for appeasing the administration giving up its constitutional authority,’ said BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the allegation while talking to reporters after placing the party’s various allegations and complaints to the Election Commission.

The BNP leader also alleged that their party’s 114 candidates cannot take part in the first phase of the UC polls due to obstruction by ruling party men and non-cooperation by the election officers.

Rizvi said they submitted a letter containing their various complaints to the Election Commission. ‘Though the EC has little to do, we’ve submitted it only to put the things on record.’

In the letter, he said they elaborately mentioned various irregularities, violation of the election code of conduct, and illegal activities by the ruling party men and election officials and the administration.

The BNP leader said ruling party cadres keep on attacking opposition leaders and activists and threat BNP candidates while the election officers are indulging in illegal activities to ensure the unilateral victory of Awami League candidates.

Rizvi alleged that though their leaders and candidates lodged their various complaints with upazila election offices, no action has been taken against any one so far.