Dhaka: BNP today filed allegations to the Election Commission (EC) against the former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) and other election commissioners for their roles in conducting the controversial 10th, 11th, and 12th national elections. The party has appealed for legal action against these officials.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the party intends to lodge a formal case against these commissioners at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station. A five-member delegation from the BNP, led by executive committee member Salah Uddin Khan, submitted the allegations. The allegations, signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were handed over to the current Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasiruddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon.
Salah Uddin Khan, who coordinates BNP's case and information preservation cell, stated that the then CEC and associated officials failed to take appropriate actions despite repeated complaints about the three disputed elections. "We hope that the current commission will take action against them after conducting an investigation. Therefore, we have submitted a letter from the BNP secretary general to the EC," he elaborated.
Khan further noted that as the EC office is situated in the Agargaon area, the case would be filed at the Sher-E-Bangla Nagar police station. He mentioned that the letter includes the names of 19 individuals, and it is the responsibility of the investigation officer to identify them.
The BNP criticized the 2018 parliamentary election results, claiming they were declared illegally by the election commission. BNP candidates had filed written complaints with district and upazila election offices, demanding the annulment of the alleged fake results. However, the EC reportedly did not take significant legal steps, prompting the BNP to request swift legal action.
During the 10th general election on January 5, 2014, Awami League candidates won unopposed in 153 out of 300 seats, as the BNP did not participate. The BNP labeled this parliament as a 'parliament without vote.' At that time, the commission was led by CEC Quazi Rakib Uddin Ahmed, alongside other commissioners such as former additional secretary Mohammad Abu Hafiz, former joint secretary Mohammad Abdul Mubarrak, Brigadier General (retd) M Zabed Ali, and retired district session Judge M Shahnewaz.
The 11th parliamentary election on December 30, 2018, saw BNP participation under the Jatiya Oikya Front banner. However, the election was tarnished by accusations of ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, and opposition suppression. Awami League candidates secured 288 out of 300 seats, while the opposition parties won only seven. This election was termed the 'election in night.' CEC KM Nurul Huda led the election, with commissioners including former secretary Rafiqul Islam, former additional secretary Mahbub Talukder, retired district judge Kabita Khanam, and Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.
The 2024 elections were boycotted by the BNP-led alliance. To project the election as participatory, the ruling party allocated parliamentary seats to the Jatia Party. However, internal party rebels were the main contenders, and the polls were labeled the 'Ami and Dummy' election. This election was overseen by CEC Quazi Habibul Awal, with commissioners such as retired senior secretary M Alamgir, Anisur Rahman, retired district and session Judge Rasheda Sultana, and retired Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan.