Accusing the Election Commission, EC, for failing to create a favourable environment for vote, BNP senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, said: “EC had arranged the voting on Dec 30 to prevent the presence of foreign observers.”

He made the comments on Tuesday (Nov 13), at a media briefing held at the BNP's Naya Paltan office.

“Dec 25 is Christmas and 31st is New Year’s day so all ambassadors, foreign officials will be on holiday and, taking this chance, the government has declared the election so they can carry out mass rigging.”

As per BNP’s previous demands, election has to be delayed by a month and re-schedule provided, he observed.

“All parties must be given equal chance for publicity in media.”

While lodging of false cases has stopped, people are being harassed with home searches, Rizvi complained.

From Nov 11 till now, more than 50 persons were arrested, he said demanding unconditional release of all BNP activists.

“The decision to use EVMs for 80 to 100 seats as opposed to the initial plan to use in a couple of seats indicates a deeper conspiracy.”