Moudud Ahmed, a BNP candidate for Niakhali- 5 constituency, has said the congenial atmosphere for the 11th parliamentary election is total absent across the country.

“We thought that the overall political situation would improve after announcement of the polls schedule. But the situation has deteriorated severely due to the aggressive acts of the police and civil administration,” Moudud said.

Moudud, standing committee member of BNP also a former law minister, said at a press conference at the Noakhali Ainjibi Samity auditorium this noon.

The BNP’s heavyweight candidate is contesting the polls against Awami League General Secretary also road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader.

According to the electoral code of conduct, the law enforcement agencies and the civil administration would work in line with the directives of the Election Commission (EC), he said.

“But practically we are noticing that the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies and civil administration are acting according to the government’s instructions,” he said.

He claimed that the supporters of his opponent Quader are obstructing his election campaign in the area by removing posters and banners. The ruling party activists vandalised at least eight loudspeakers when his followers were electioneering for him in Kabirhat area.

“I can’t reach my voters as the ruling party outsiders, equipped with firearms, are patrolling in and around the electoral area,” Moudud said.

He said he has lodged many complaints with the local returning and assistant returning officers over the issue but they did not pay any attention in this regard.

Joynal Abedin Farroque, who is contesting the polls from Noakhali-2 parliamentary constituency, said he is being failed to reach the voters “due to the attacks on his supporters by the ruling party activists and police’s intentional harassment”.