Former CEC of Bangladesh Kazi Habibul Awal arrested

Detective Branch of Bangladesh Police on Wednesday arrested former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal from the capital Dhaka.

Deputy Commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Talebur Rahman said he was arrested from Moghbazar area in a case filed with She-e-Banglanagar Police Station for conducting controversial election.

The detention came two days after the case was filed by BNP at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station accusing 24 people, including former Chief Election Commissioners, Election Commissioners and other officials involved in conducting the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections, of irregularities and biased conduct.

Besides, police detained former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda from his residence in the capital’s Uttara area on Sunday evening.

In the 11th election, held in December 2018 under CEC KM Nurul Huda, the BNP alleged ballot-stuffing occurred the night before the vote.

The 12th election in 2024, overseen by CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, was dismissed by the BNP as a ‘dummy election’, as the party did not take part in it.

Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus instructed authorities to form a committee to investigate the roles of those involved in conducting the three elections.