Speakers at a citizens' dialogue yesterday urged countrymen not to cast vote for candidates who opposed the country's independence and are convicted for war crimes, and their dependants in the upcoming national election scheduled to be held on December 23,2018.

They also urged Election Commission (EC) to cancel the nomination forms of anti-Liberation War individuals.

A group of rights activists, journalists, educationists and freedom fighters made the call at the event titled "Muktijuddher Bangladesh O Nirbachan 2018" (Bangladesh with the spirit of Liberation War and Election 2018) organised by the Sector Commanders' Forum—Muktijuddho '71 at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.

Speaking at the dialogue, eminent educationist Prof Mesbah Kamal criticised the role of the EC for giving scope to candidates linked to Jamaat to contest the next election.

"EC has given a scope to Jamaat men to contest as independent candidates and under symbol of any registered party in the election, so imposing a ban on Jamaat is a just an eyewash," he said.

Prof Mesbah Kamal, also a teacher of DU history department, alleged that the anti-Liberation War forces are being united under the banner of Oikyafront, centering the election. "I am waiting to see the role of Dr Kamal Hossain as a freedom fighter when BNP will give nomination to Jamaat candidates," he added.

In his speech, former DU vice chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique alleged that Dr Kamal and ASM Abdur Rab are patronising anti-Liberation War forces right now, though they claim to be freedom fighters.

He urged all to unmask of these persons, especially to the young generation, so that they are not misguided by any deceiving platform.

In his speech, Harun Habib, secretary general of the Sector Commanders' Forum, said, "We don't

want to see any razakar in the parliament anymore - either in government or in opposition."

Dr Sarwar Ali, a trustee of Liberation War Museum, slammed political parties of the country for their disunity centring the electiontime government.

With Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury in the chair, among others, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Gulam Kuddus, freedom fighter and also Jatiya Press Club President Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, rights activist Rokeya Kabir, former DUCSU VP Mahfuza Khanam, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Molla Jalal, Sector Commanders' Forum women unit President Laila Hasan, Forum Organising Secretary Maj Gen (retd) AK Mohammed Ali Sikder, spoke at the event.