The BNP-led 7-party alliance has alleged that the Election Commission played the role of a "trusted associate’" of the government and the ruling Awami League in Thursday's by-election in Pabna-2 constituency.

The alliance, at a meeting yesterday, also said the ruling party won the by-election through massive rigging and in a hateful way while the EC helped it in the cheating. This election finally proved that this government did not protect the sanctity of election process in the past, is not protecting it now and will not protect in future.

The meeting was held at the official residence of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament with BNP vice chairman M Shamsul Islam MP in the chair. It was addressed by Anwar Zahid of BNP. Jamaat leaders A T M Azharul Islam and Shaikh Ansar Ali. JP leaders Mainud-din Bhuiyan and Shamim Al Mamun. Jagpa president Shafiul Alam Prodhan and general secretary Anisur Rahman. NDA leaders Nurul Haq Majumder and Abdul Mobin. Democratic Party leader Sai-fuddin Ahmed Moni and PNP leaders Shaikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu and Mowla Chowd-

The alliance said the overall law and order has sharply deteriorated. there is no security of citizens' life and property while democratic and human rights are trampled frequently.

The independence and sovereignty of this country and its Constitution are not at all safe in the hands of the government." it said and added that life of the common man has become unbearable due to limitless price hike of essentials.

The meeting demanded im-

mediate and unconditional release of BNP Standing Committee members K M Obaidur Rahman MP. JP leader Shah Moazzem Hossain. BNP leader Nurul Islam Manju. JCD president Habibun Nabi Sohel. DCC commissioner Artful Islam Arif and all other arrested leaders and activists.

It urged the people to observe Sunday's hartal called by the opposition parties to protest 'rigging' in the Pabna-2 by-elec-tion.