BNP yesterday urged the Election Commission not to involve controversial or questionable government officials in the process of the upcoming 13th national elections.

The party leaders said the commission has assured them that it remains cautious about the issue, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan said the administration has been moulded over the past 15 years to act loyally towards one political party. As a result, it is widely known that voters were victims of mockery in the past three elections.

The commission must establish a transparent system that can restore public confidence. Moyeen said it is unrealistic to exclude all officials who served in the past from the upcoming election process.

"Rather, those who may have acted unjustly under pressure or fear in the past should now be encouraged to discharge their duties properly in a democratic manner," he said.

Moyeen said over the past 17 years, the administration has been politically motivated, turning the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections into mockeries in the name of elections.

Yesterday, the BNP delegation submitted a series of demands to the EC, however, when asked how many proposals it submitted, Moyeen did not disclose the number.

Asked whether the issue of a referendum was raised during the meeting, he said, "We want the referendum to be held on the same day as the general election."