Dhaka, June 27 (V7N) — Additional charges have been filed by the police against three former Chief Election Commissioners—Kazi Habibul Awal, K.M. Nurul Huda, and Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad—in a BNP-backed case, including treason, fraud, and embezzlement. A Dhaka court approved the amendments to the charges on Thursday following an application filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station.
 
The original case, lodged on Sunday by BNP Executive Committee member Salah Uddin Khan, named 24 individuals for allegedly organizing a farcical election that deprived citizens of their voting rights. Among the accused were the three former CECs, who oversaw the 2014, 2018, and 2024 parliamentary polls.
 
Currently, former CEC K.M. Nurul Huda is out on four-day remand, and Kazi Habibul Awal is in three-day remand after his arrest in Moghbazar on Wednesday. During a remand hearing, Awal criticized the 2024 election as a “dummy and sham,” claiming no one paid him for orchestrating it, and attributing the flawed process to political discord among parties. He questioned why he did not resign, noting no previous CEC had done so, and referenced historical electoral controversies dating back to 1972.
 
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruqui accused Awal of enabling a “fascist” election environment that barred opposition parties. He cited discrepancies in reported voter turnout—from 27% in the morning to 40% later—ironically timed to benefit the ruling party, and alleged a conspiracy to misuse billions of taka.
 
Following the revised charges, the court rejected Awal’s bail petition and granted the three-day remand. The former CEC appeared before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court Thursday afternoon in handcuffs and under police watch.
 
Separately, the Cabinet Division has formed a five-member committee to investigate irregularities in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 national elections. Headed by former High Court judge Shamim Hasnain, the panel will review oversight and media reports, and assess legal and administrative failures. Recommendations are due by September 30.
 
END/KMD/SMA/