Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has called on the Election Commission to take strict measures against those who violate the electoral code of conduct ahead of elections to the Dhaka City Corporations slated for Jan 30.

He made the remarks while addressing a media call at his Secretariat offices on Thursday (Jan 16).

“The EC has a lot of power and police help. I call on the Commission to be stricter regarding the code of conduct. There is no government intervention here,” he said.

Responding to queries on Awami League rebel candidates in the polls, he said that discussions were underway.

The minister, however, declined to comment on previous rebel candidates getting the party's support this time saying, “It’s our internal matter. Please leave it.”

On the protests regarding the city polls being held on the day of Saraswati Puja, he said, “I want to respect the court.”

He hoped that everyone will respect the court’s verdict and take part in the polls.

Quader said that Chhatra League activists taking part in the protests were purely out of religious sentiments and nothing political.

He added that the BNP was against EVM’s because they “always want to remain analogue.”