Questions have been raised about the fairness of the 2024 elections in Bangladesh. A case has been registered and an investigation has begun against 13 officials, including former election commissioners, on charges of treason and fraud.
Bangladesh: The controversy surrounding the 2024 general elections in Bangladesh has taken a serious legal turn. A case has been registered in Dhaka, the capital, against former election commissioners and officials on charges of treason and fraud. The officials named include former Chief Election Commissioners Kazi Habibul Awal, K.M. Nurul Huda, and a total of 13 senior officials.
Alleged irregularities from 2014 to 2024
These officials are accused of serious irregularities in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections. Police arrested them earlier this week. A Special Investigation Team has also been formed to investigate the case, which will thoroughly examine the role of all involved.
The 2024 general election was held under the chairmanship of Kazi Awal
The 2024 general election was held under the leadership of Kazi Awal. However, not all major opposition parties participated in this election. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), along with other parties, boycotted the election process and called it one-sided and biased. Questions had already been raised about the transparency of the election. Now, the allegations against the former officials have further strengthened these concerns.
Action taken on the complaint of BNP
This case has been registered on the complaint of the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The BNP alleges that these officials not only rigged the election but also arrested opposition leaders by implicating them in false cases. They say that the entire election took place under a planned scheme, in which an attempt was made to suppress the role of the opposition.
Former Police Chief also in custody
In this case, not only the officials of the Election Commission but also the former police chief of Dhaka has been arrested. He is accused of acting on the instructions of the ruling party, taking action against opposition activists during the election and obstructing freedom.
Sheikh Hasina's name is also in discussion
In this case, the name of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also coming to the fore. The opposition alleges that the Election Commission and the police, at the behest of Sheikh Hasina, influenced the fairness of the election. However, the official role or statement of the Prime Minister in this matter has not yet come to light.
A special investigation team will investigate the entire case
Dhaka Police has formed a special investigation team to investigate the entire case. This team will thoroughly investigate every aspect related to the election. It will look into the circumstances under which these officials made decisions and whether they were against the democratic process. Further legal action will be decided based on the team's report.
