Leading figures from the BNP and its affiliated organisations staged a march through the capital on Friday morning, armed with sticks, calling for the resignation of the current government and the cancellation of the 'one-party' election scheduled for Sunday, January 7.

They also urged everyone in the nation to abstain from voting on Sunday and to boycott the election.

Karwanbazar area of the city, BNP officials and adherents staged a march headed by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

They screamed several chants criticising the election, calling it "unacceptable, farcical, and dummy."

After the procession, Rizvi gave a brief speech in which he said that the government was attempting to use the state apparatus to stage an illegitimate, unilateral election.

The citizens of our nation will not put up with this rigged election organised by thieves. We implore everyone to abstain from the fake election, including BNP officials and members as well as supporters of other opposition parties," he declared.

He claimed that whereas the ruling party supports plundering, syphoning off money abroad, and seizing people's rights, their party is in favour of justice, truth, freedom of expression, and people's ability to vote.

"Those of us who fight for justice will inevitably win."

The party declared on Thursday that on Friday, there will be a nationwide procession and mass contact programme in opposition to the 12th parliamentary election.

Two days before the election, on Friday, the other opposition parties that share similar views will also be participating in a comparable programme.

In addition, the opposition parties have decided to protest the 12th parliamentary election by enforcing a 48-hour nationwide hartal starting on Saturday morning, which coincides with the voting day.