The BNP yesterday urged the Election Commission to take effective steps to ensure a free and fair electioneering atmosphere for the BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront candidates.

In a letter, the BNP alleged that leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront and its alliance, comprised of BNP and several other parties, were being harassed and arrested by Awami League men and law enforcers throughout the country during electoral campaigns.

BNP Vice Chairman Selima Rahman and Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal submitted five letters to the EC seeking actions on multiple issues for a credible and participatory election on December 30.

Mentioning several incidents of attacks in the letter, the BNP asked the EC to take legal actions against "the criminals" to refrain them from unlawful activities.

"The Election Commission will be held responsible if it does not act accordingly," the letter, signed by BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, read.

The letter also sought police protection for BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront candidates.

In another letter, they requested the EC to unblock BNP's website which had been blocked for last three days.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in the party's Nayapaltan office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the government was plotting with the administration and law enforcers to reclaim power through a lopsided polls.

"According to media reports, the IGP [Inspector General of Police] has called all the DIGs [Deputy Inspector General] and SPs [Superintendent of Police] to Dhaka. They have made a list of 2.5 lakh BNP leaders and activists to arrest for clearing the field of the polls," he said.

"This is mainly to thwart the mass public support in favour of the 'sheaf of paddy' despite all the harassments, arrests and cases," he added.

The BNP leader also said the government had realised its imminent downfall and was resorting to multifaceted conspiracies to hang on to power.

"Ever since Jatiya Oikyafront and its 20-party alliance decided to join the polls, it became a grave concern for the Awami League. They have come to know through intelligence agencies that they would be defeated in the polls," he added.

Rizvi further said that he had proof that a meeting was held on December 10 at the Police Headquarters with minority groups leaders for bringing them on field to garner support for the government.

"However, the government is plotting to launch attacks on the minority and blame BNP and Oikyafront in order to make the international community think that the minorities will not be safe if the alliance comes to power," the BNP leader alleged.

He also said the administration and law enforcers were doing everything to keep the BNP and Oikyafront men away from the polls while armed goons of the ruling party were making showdowns in broad daylight.

"Still, we will overcome all obstacles and fight till the polls day. The countrymen are the source of all power and they are our strength," he added.