BNP Senior Joint-Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi pressed the demand in a press briefing on 24 November, 2018.

“Some controversial and partisan officers in the police and administration have been plotting to help the Awami League to remain in power. They are having secret meetings regularly,” he said.

Rizvi claimed such a meeting took place at the 3rd floor conference room at the Officers’ Club on the night of Nov 20.

A few secretaries, including the EC secretary, and high-ups from RAB and police were present at the meeting, Rizvi claimed.

“Our sources said they set and reviewed a plan to engineer the election throughout the country during that two-and-a-half-hour meeting,” said Rizvi.

“The secret committee of six secretaries which has been formed to rig the polls, had its meeting at the Dhaka Officers’ Club too.”

Earlier the BNP had written to the Election Commission to call for the transfer of the EC secretary, public administration secretary, DMP commissioner and a few district commissioners.

According to the BNP, those officers ‘following specific political philosophy’ have been working to help the Awami League win the election following the government’s instructions. Awami League leaders blamed the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front for spreading false rumours.

The EC has full control over the police and administration, CEC KM Nurul Huda told journalists on Saturday, denying the allegations by the BNP.

“The Awami League has not ceased to show its power even after the election schedule was announced. The list provided by the BNP includes the names of biased officials. The EC could not act on the complaints as it is working in favour of the ruling party,” said Rizvi.

“We want to reiterate that the controversial election officials should be removed from the electoral process and other important positions.”

Rizvi added the BNP leaders and activists throughout the country, including Kishoreganj nomination aspirant Shariful Alam, were being named in various cases. He demanded the government provide special privileges to BNP Vice-Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury while he is in prison.