Poll irregularities: BNP sues 3 ex-CECs, 21 officials

The BNP has filed a case against 24 individuals, including three former chief election commissioners, 10 election commissioners, and top government and police officials, for their alleged role in irregularities and biasness during the national elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024.

The case was filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in Dhaka yesterday. Earlier, a five-member BNP delegation, led by party executive committee member Salahuddin Khan, also delivered a copy of the case application to CEC AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission.

Talking to reporters, Salahuddin 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 BNP alleges that in all three parliamentary elections -- the 10th in 2014, the 11th in 2018, and the 12th in 2024 -- their leaders and supporters were targeted with false cases, abductions, and threats. It says many were arrested or harassed so that they could not take part in the polls.

The accused in the case, according to the BNP, were involved in irregularities during the three national elections.

Among them are former CECs Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, KM Nurul Huda, and Kazi Habibul Awal.

Also named in the case are ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

The list of accused includes former inspectors general of police Hasan Mahmud Khandker, Javed Patwary, and Shahidul Haque; former DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed; former Special Branch chief Monirul Islam; and former chiefs of the National Security Intelligence and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.

The BNP said these individuals were responsible for voter intimidation, and manipulation of the electoral process.

"Despite being in a constitutional institution, these suspects are accused of violating the constitution, violating the election code of conduct, illegally forcing electoral victories despite being government employees, concluding the voting process through intimidation, and falsely declaring members of parliament who did not receive the people's votes," said the complaint.

'ONE-SIDED'

In the complaint, the BNP alleged that leaders and activists of the party and its allies were attacked and harassed during each of the past three elections.

The party also stated that when party leaders attempted to submit nomination papers, they were obstructed by Awami League supporters; however, the then Election Commission ignored the complaints.

The complaint said that the 2014 national polls, overseen by the Rakibuddin-led commission, were conducted in a "one-sided manner", disregarding public expectations and without reinstating voting rights through a democratic process.

It alleged that false cases were filed against BNP leaders and activists after the party rejected the election and launched a movement demanding a caretaker government and Election Commission reforms.

In the complaint, the BNP said the 2018 election under the Nurul Huda-led commission was unfair and illegal, claiming that the CEC announced results for all 300 seats without following the constitution, which the party believes ignored the people's wishes and hurt democracy.

The party said the election had no real voters and was rejected by both the people of Bangladesh and the international community, adding that those responsible for the irregularities violated the law by taking away people's right to vote.

The BNP said it had submitted written complaints at the time, but no action was taken by election officials. It said ballot papers from that election should be investigated to find out the truth.

The complaint said the 2024 election was also "one-sided", as most parties rejected it while the Awami League continued with the polls using independent "dummy" candidates and offering a few seats to the Jatiya Party.

The Election Commission declared several Awami League and Jatiya Party members as winners and published the gazette by violating electoral rules to help the ruling party stay in power, it added.

The BNP demanded proper legal action, a full investigation into the roles of the CECs, commissioners, and other officials involved in the three elections.

This move comes less than a week after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus ordered a probe into the role of previous election commissions in the irregularities surrounding the past three general elections.

BNP leader Salahuddin said, "We demand justice for the rigging of three consecutive elections, and accountability of those responsible for the irregularities."

He added that CEC Nasir assured the BNP that the Election Commission does not take sides and that the matter would be dealt with neutrally.