Dhaka, Jan. 30 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has written to Bangladesh's main political parties ahead of the Feb 12 national election, urging them to take urgent steps to safeguard press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists.

In separate letters sent on Jan 29, the New York-based media watchdog called on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, the National Citizen Party and the Jatiya Party to make public commitments to protect journalists during the election period. It also urged party leaders to ensure those commitments are upheld after the vote if they are elected.

The CPJ said political parties should reject violence, intimidation and the use of criminal or national security laws ag...