2024 poll was a ‘dummy election’, says former CEC Awal

NN Online:
Arrested former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal described the 2024 national election as a “dummy and fabricated exercise” during a confessional statement at a Dhaka court on Thursday.

Awal made the remarks before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman during a remand hearing in a case filed by the BNP over alleged election irregularities. He attributed the flawed election to the failure of political parties to reach a consensus beforehand.

When asked by the court why he didn’t resign despite the controversy, Awal deflected, noting that no CEC in Bangladesh’s history had stepped down under similar circumstances. He also referenced irregularities in previous elections, including those during Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s rule and the controversial 1996 election.

The court granted police a three-day remand for further questioning. Awal was arrested on Wednesday from the Moghbazar area by a team from the Detective Branch (DB) of police.

His arrest followed a case filed by BNP at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, naming 24 individuals—including former CECs, Election Commissioners, and officials—for alleged misconduct during the 10th, 11th, and 12th national elections.

Earlier, former CEC KM Nurul Huda was detained from his Uttara residence on Sunday. During the 11th general election in 2018, held under his supervision, the BNP accused the Election Commission of overnight ballot-stuffing.

The 12th election, held in 2024 under Awal’s leadership, was boycotted by the BNP and widely dismissed by the party as a “dummy election.”

Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed the formation of a special committee to investigate the roles of individuals responsible for overseeing all three controversial elections.