DHAKA, June 26 (V7N) – Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today admitted that he had overseen a "dummy election" in 2024, but vehemently denied any allegations of financial embezzlement or corruption against him.

Awal made this confession in response to a question from Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman during a hearing at the CMM Court. "I confess that I arranged a dummy election. The one-sided election was held as political parties could not reach a consensus in lack of their political understanding," he stated. However, he maintained, "But there is no question of taking bribe for the election as I was never indulged in financial irregularities or corruption in my life."

Regarding the allegation of votes being cast at night, a common complaint in recent Bangladeshi elections, Kazi Habibul Awal claimed, "I was in deep sleep when ballots were sealed at night."

Awal, who was arrested yesterday from Moghbazar area, was brought to the CMM court around 12:50 PM and produced before the magistrate at 1:25 PM. He faces charges in a case filed by BNP Executive Committee member Salah Uddin Khan, alleging deprivation of voting rights through "farcical elections" in 2024 and pre-poll night voting.

When questioned about an alleged increase in allowances for electoral officials in the 2024 election – from Tk 20,000-25,000 in previous polls to Tk 400,000-500,000 – Habibul Awal claimed he had no knowledge of it.

The court expressed disappointment, telling him, "the nation had huge expectation on you, but you could not hold a controversy-free election." In response, the former CEC controversially asked the court which election in Bangladesh had ever been held without controversy. He went on to assert that "Even in the polls of 1973 soon after independence, the leader like Sheikh Mujib had resorted to vote rigging," adding, "It was due to greediness for the power which is dangerous."

Awal further opined that no election in Bangladesh would be "fair and neutral even in the next one thousand years under a political government," emphasizing the need for fundamental reforms.

During the hearing, Public Prosecutor (PP) Omar Farque Faruqui alleged that Habibul Awal had assured Sheikh Hasina of her party's victory in the "dummy elections" in exchange for a bribe. The PP demanded severe punishment for Awal, stating that "such kind of heinous election commissioner never comes in the country."

The defense lawyer, citing Awal's age of 70 years, prayed for his bail and urged the court to cancel the remand, arguing, "We should not behave like a fascist when we are talking against the fascism." After approximately half an hour of arguments, the court granted a three-day remand for Kazi Habibul Awal based on a 10-day remand petition submitted by Sub-inspector Shamsuzzoha Sarkar of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Thana for proper investigation.

The case filed by BNP Executive Committee member Salah Uddin Khan on Sunday targets three former CECs and other election commissioners who served during the 10th, 11th, and 12th general elections. Former CEC KM Nurul Huda, who oversaw the 2018 election, was arrested last Sunday in connection with the same case. Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, CEC during the 10th general election (2014), is reportedly still at large.

Historical Context of Election Controversies in Bangladesh:

Bangladesh has a long history of electoral controversies.

1973 General Election: While the Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won overwhelmingly, the election was widely criticized for irregularities, including alleged kidnapping of opposition leaders and ballot stuffing.

2014 General Election: The 10th parliamentary election, overseen by Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, was boycotted by the main opposition BNP and its allies, leading to a large number of uncontested seats and questions about its legitimacy.

2018 General Election: The 11th parliamentary election, under KM Nurul Huda's commission, was marred by widespread allegations of ballot box stuffing, voter intimidation, and other irregularities on the eve of polling day, leading to significant international and domestic criticism.

2024 General Election: The 12th parliamentary election, overseen by Kazi Habibul Awal, was largely boycotted by major opposition parties, including the BNP, and was characterized by low voter turnout and accusations of being a "dummy" or "farcical" election, as now admitted by Awal himself.

The interim government, which came to power after the "July Revolution" (Student-People's Uprising Day) of 2024, has pledged to reform the electoral system and ensure accountability for past alleged abuses. The arrests of former CECs are part of this broader initiative.

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