The BNP has formally announ­ced that it would contest the upco­ming municipal elections if the Election Commission and the government agree to some of its conditions, including deferral of the polls schedule by at least 15 days, release of its leaders and activists, and ensuring a “level-playing field” for free and fair elections. “The atmosphere was hardly conducive to holding free and fair elections. The BNP is a democratic party and it will take part in all local body polls if the atmosphere is found conducive to fair voting,” said party spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon at a press conference at the party's Naya Paltan central office in the capital yesterday. He said the polls must be deferred by at least…

International militant outfit Islamic State (IS) yesterday claimed responsibility for the gun attack…