How does the plastic around the front/sides of the front seats come off?

I tried a couple searches but not even sure what to call them. Installing seat covers and it's a bear to get the tie downs fed around the switches and under the seat above the tracks on the drivers seat. If it's easy enough to take them off I may do that.

 

You can push the strings between with plastic pry tools or tape around a screw driver and reach under. In my experience you end up breaking the tabs holding the plastic on trying to get them off. I took my seats out, but again not necessary.