The CEC said there was no chance for anyone to force any polling agent out of a polling booth if the agent didn’t walk out on his own.

Huda said during a recent meeting with the law enforcement agencies, he asked them to “give shelter” to the polling agents. “It is our duty to look after them [polling agents] once they enter the polling centres to carry out their responsibilities.”

Sometimes polling agents leave voting centres without informing the polling officials concerned and later claim that they were forced to leave, the CEC said.

Enquired about BNP’s allegation that there was no level playing field in the election, Huda said the allegation was not true.

“They [BNP] carried out campaigns on the streets, went door-to-door and there was no obstacle. Where and how did you [journalists] see that there is no level playing field?”

The CEC called upon the voters to go to the polling centres and cast their votes without fear.

Asked if voters could return home safely after casting votes and what would happen if they came under attack on their way home, Huda said the law enforcement agencies would take action if any voter came under attack.