BNP mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Tabith Awal yesterday called upon voters to cast their votes without fear, and stand against irregularities on polls day.

He also urged the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to ensure a favourable polls environment, so voters can cast their votes freely and safely.

The BNP leader made the calls while carrying out his election campaign in Mohammadpur area.

As part of the campaign, he arranged several rallies, distributed leaflets of his electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy” among people, and sought votes with various promises, including that of making Dhaka a clean and modern city.

Speaking at one of the rallies, Tabith said only a few days are left to the election [scheduled to be held on February 1], so voters should remain aware and cautious.

“Cast your vote without fear and guard it so that nobody can steal it. If you don’t go to the polling centres, other people will cast your vote and stealing will be much easier,” he said, addressing voters.

“We all should go to the polling centres early and stand against all irregularities together,” he added.

The BNP candidate alleged that their party has so far submitted more than 140 complaints -- regarding attack on them and electoral code violation by opponents -- to the EC, but the commission rejected about 102 of those.

“If the EC plays such a role, the ongoing festivity entering the election will go to waste… You [EC] should play a neutral role and ensure an environment so that voters can cast votes without fear and intimidation,” said Tabith.

About deploying BNP polling agents during the election, he said nobody will be able to oust their agents from the polling centres, if law enforcement agencies play a neutral role.

He also opined that the Awami League-led government has become “frightened” seeing massive public support for “sheaf of paddy” -- BNP’s electoral symbol.