Urging the BNP to participate in the elections, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said the commission is ready to face any challenge.
He said: "We always urge the BNP to participate in elections and ask them to test us."
The EC said this while talking to reporters at his office on Tuesday.
In response to a question about BNP's non-participation in the elections, Alamgir said: "BNP never said that they will not participate in the elections due to lack of trust in the EC. Not coming to the polls is BNP's political strategy, it is not our failure. Big parties are coming to participate in the elections."
Addressing the BNP leaders, he said: "We are doing good work so far and we will continue doing it in the future. We will always urge the BNP to participate in the elections and test the commission. BNP is not taking our test. How did they understand that we failed without trying? We are always ready to take the test."
Strict enforcement of code of conduct
About the campaigning of various individuals in five city corporation elections, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said: "It will be clear who are the candidates for election after receiving nominations. Many individuals who are campaigning right now are not candidates. I don't know why they are seeking prayers from public for the election."
He said: "The official campaign will start after allocation of the symbols. Action will be taken if the code of conduct is not followed during. Political showdown is strictly prohibited in election campaigns. It may result in cancellation of candidature."
The EC said that there will be a meeting with the candidates after the allocation of symbols. We will hold the meeting as soon as possible after allotment of symbols, so that the candidates do not break any rules.
