Dhaka, Jan 2 (UNB) – Terming the Election Commission ‘subservient to the government’, BNP leader Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah on Wednesday alleged that the EC changed its previous decision to conduct the next general election by its own workforce to pave the way for Awami League to rig votes.

“The present Election Commission has changed the decision of the ATM Shamsul Huda-led commission to conduct the election by its own manpower as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

The BNP leader was addressing a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the city.

Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Dal organised the programme demanding the unconditional release of BNP leaders, including its acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and withdrawal the sedition case filed against the daily Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.

Alleging that the government has made Awami League men deputy commissioners and UNOs throughout the country, Rafiqul Islam Miah said, “If they act as returning and presiding officers during polls, there is no chance of a free and fair election.”

He, however, warned that if the EC wants to conduct the election by the DCs and UNOs, country’s people will not accept it; rather they will resist its move.

In another human chain organised by Shikkhok-Karmachari Oikya Jote at the same venue, Rafiqul Islam Miah, also BNP standing committee member, said the EC decision let the Awami League cat out of the bag. “They (EC) are engaged in conspiracies to bring Awami League in power again.”

He also criticised the recent remarks of Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, saying if they truly want dialogue with the opposition, they would not have arrested BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in ‘false’ cases.