Dhaka, Oct. 25 -- e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday accused the Election Commission of failing to exercise its constitutional powers to ensure a fair election in the face of political pressure ahead of the October 29 by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency.

"The commission is helpless under political pressure," he said at a press conference after a Jamaat delegation met the commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban, submitting nine written complaints and placing three demands over alleged electoral irregularities.

He said the commission's response did not fully reassure the delegation, although the party remained hopeful and intended to contest the by-election.

He alleged that local administration officials were favouring...