BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday alleged that a credible national election cannot take place in Bangladesh as long as Awami League loyalists dominate the police, civil administration, and even primary school teaching staff engaged in the polling process.

“Everyone wants the upcoming election in February, ahead of Ramadan, to be free and fair. But that will not be possible under an administration filled with Awami League cadres. They must be removed from the electoral process,” Rizvi told reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

The BNP leader claimed that 16,399 primary school teachers were recruited during the Awami League’s tenure, with a majority of them appointed on political grounds rather than merit. “Around 55 to 60 percent of these teachers are loyal to the ruling party. If they act as polling officers or presiding officers, how can the election be fair?” he asked.

Rizvi alleged that the primary qualification for recruitment was political affiliation with the Chhatra League, Jubo League, or Awami League. “In this way, the administration has been systematically packed with party loyalists,” he said, stressing that BNP does not want its own cadres to replace them but rather “neutral individuals who can conduct the polls impartially.”

He further argued that for the past 15 to 16 years, both the administration and the police have been dominated by ruling party supporters, making a credible vote impossible without reform. “We hope the Election Commission will address this issue and ensure a genuine election where voters can freely choose their representatives,” Rizvi added.

The BNP leader also warned his party activists to remain vigilant, claiming Awami League supporters are attempting to create unrest across the country. “Some of them are even receiving military training. Two individuals have already been arrested, but there may be many more. Everyone must stay alert,” he cautioned.

Rizvi rejected proposals for adopting a proportional representation (PR) system, arguing that such an electoral model is not suitable for Bangladesh. “The people are not ready for it, and there are doubts about the motives of those pushing for PR,” he said.