United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Sunday filed a case against 24 people, including former Chief Election Commissioners, EC Commissioners and other officials involved in conducting the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections, alleging irregularities and biased conduct. A four-member BNP delegation, led by party’s National Executive Committee member Salahuddin Khan, lodged the case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on Sunday morning. Earlier, they submitted a copy of the complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon. They also handed over a BNP letter, signed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhtul Islam Alamgir in this regard. The complaint names 19 people, including former CECs Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, KM Nurul Huda and Kazi Habibul Awal, along with several unidentified others. BNP to file case against former CECs, EC Commissioners BNP claims that the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections were flawed and conducted in a partisan manner, ignoring repeated calls for a neutral caretaker government and the deployment of the army with magistracy powers during polling. Talking to reporters, Salahuddin Khan said despite widespread complaints during those elections, the then CECs failed to take any corrective measures. "We hope the current Election Commission will investigate the matter and take action," he said. The 10th parliamentary election in January 2014 saw 153 Awami League candidates elected unopposed, after the BNP and other opposition parties boycotted the polls. The election was led by CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad. In the 11th election, held in December 2018 under CEC KM Nurul Huda, the BNP alleged ballot-stuffing occurred the night before the vote. Election not possible without govt cooperation: CEC 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. 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.