'Make EC independent'

They also demanded cancellation of the new voter list, terming it controversial.

The new list will create an obstacle to holding a free and fair election as many inconsistencies have been found in it, they said at a rally in front of the Fine Arts Institute on Dhaka University campus.

Carrying posters, banners and placards, environmentalists, members of civil society and children joined the rally organised by Jana Udyog, a non-governmental organisation.

The speakers called on the EC to collect detailed information about the candidates in the upcoming election and make those public so that people can easily choose competent candidates.

Environmentalist Abu Naser Khan said many fake voters were added to the new voter list, but, on the other hand, many women, members of minority communities, ethnic people and poor people did not find themselves on the list.

Dr Jasmine Sultana Sathi, Subrata Das Khokan and Dilara Rekha also spoke at the rally conducted by Sushanta Sarker Shanta.