The chief election commissioner (CEC) today told law enforcers not to harass candidates of the looming city corporations polls.

Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad issued the instruction in response to candidates' concern over the use of "police harassment for political gain."

It came during a view exchange programme between the Election Commission, candidates of Dhaka north city corporation and its returning officers in Dhaka.

Some of the candidates demanded deployment of army and a stop to "police harassment for political gains" in the city polls of April 28.

They also urged the EC's responsible role to prevent use of muscle and black money to ensure a level-playing field for all parties involved.

In response, the CEC told police to keep off from harassing the candidates and ensure smooth campaign atmosphere for all.

"Keep vigil so that candidates can conduct campaign fairly…the polling centres remain protected so that no illegal or untoward incident occur," he said.

City corporations elections to Chittagong and the two halves of Dhaka (north and south) are slated to be held simultaneously on April 28.

Awami League's mayoral candidate Annisul Huq, BNP's Tabith Awal, Bikolpo Dhara Bangladesh's Mahi B Chowdhury, Communist party of Bangladesh's candidate Abdullah Al Kafee, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) candidate Nader Chowdhury, Jatiya Party (JP) candidate Bahauddin Ahmed and Gono Sanghati Andolon's Zonaid Saki attended the programme.