BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said people have no interest in the ensuing city polls being held under the Election Commission which is controlled by the government.

Speaking at a discussion, he also feared that the upcoming elections to the five city corporations would be state-managed events though the BNP is not fielding any candidate.

"They (govt) have completely destroyed the election system by using the state machinery. The Election Commission is under the control of the government. People are not interested in the election taking place in the country," he said.

Fakhrul said the people of Sylhet City shed tears as their beloved leader decided against taking part in the election. "He (Arif) clearly said this election will be meaningless and no election will be fair under this government.

"Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the discussion at Jatiya Press Club, marking the party founder Shafiul Alam Prodhan's sixth death anniversary.

Fakhrul also warned the BNP rank and file not to be confused by different ‘evil games’ by the government ahead of the national election. “We must remain united to free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ensure the return of our leader Tarique Rahman to the country, restore democracy, people’s voting rights and establish equality…the movement has already begun. We all have to take to the streets with all strengths to take it a final stage for establishing a caretaker government ousting the current regime,” he said.