Dhaka: BNP on Monday alleged that the government is still controlling law enforcement agencies and administration as the Election Commission has failed to establish its authority over the state organs exercising its constitutional power.

‘The Election Commission has failed to establish its authority on law enforcement agencies, including police. The government is still controlling all the activities of law enforcers. Not only that, the government is also strictly regulating the administration,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reports the UNB.

He came up with the allegation while speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

The BNP leader said police kept arresting their party leaders and activists and raiding their houses across the country.

Referring to media reports, Rizvi said the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Commissioners opposed a proposal of a Commissioner to bring the law enforcement agencies and administration under their control. ‘In fact, the Commission is busy implementing government directives.’

He also said the EC and the ruling party leaders are talking in the same tune as the Awami League general secretary and a Commissioner said holding cent percent fair election will not be possible in the country.

Stating that all the Commissioners have taken oath for ensuring a free and fair election, he said, ‘They breach their oath with their comments that the election won’t be fair.’

Rizvi alleged that some private TV channels are being forced to carry out campaigns in favour of Awami League.

He said the state-owned BTV has also been conducting unilateral campaign for the ruling party.

‘There’s no sign of level-playing field in BTV and other private TV channels. BTV and some other private TV channels are shamelessly playing a partisan role in favour of the ruling party.’

Rizvi urged the Election Commission to take steps for ensuring neutral role of all the TV channels.