The BNP mayoral candidates in the Dhaka civic polls yesterday lamented the lack of a level playing field for all candidates.

Both Tabith Awal, mayoral candidate

for the Dhaka North City Corporation

(DNCC), and Ishraque Hossain, mayoral candidate for the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), iterated their vow to maintain peace and not respond to any

provocations.

“There is no level playing field in this election. BNP leaders and activists are peacefully carrying on electioneering. But our election campaign is being obstructed. However, we'll not give up and stay here till the end,” said Tabith Awal.

He was talking to reporters during his campaign in front of Fuji Tower in North Badda yesterday.

He accused the EC of not taking any step regarding the vandalism at the offices of some councillor candidates.  BNP vice-chairman  Md Shajahan and party leaders Joynal Abedin

Faruk and Ahsanullah Hasan, among others, were present on the occasion. Ishraque Hossain also expressed doubt about the holding of the city polls in a free and fair manner.

Referring to the tearing of election posters of BNP candidates, the Dhaka South mayoral candidate said the EC should clarify the matter.

He accused the police of detaining BNP activists if they tried to prevent their opponents from tearing the posters.

He sought votes for candidates contesting the polls with the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol to restore “the voting rights of the people”. Mohila Dal president Afroza Abbas and K Hairul Kabir Khokan, among others, were present on the occasion. The elections to DNCC and DSCC will be held on January 30.