Why Was Bangladesh's Former CEC Placed on Police Remand?

Dhaka, June 26 (NationPress) Bangladesh's former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has been placed on a three-day police remand by a Dhaka court due to allegations regarding his inaction and biased behavior during the national elections of 2024.

The remand order was issued by Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafa Zaman after officers from the Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station presented Awal in court, requesting a 10-day remand.

The former CEC was taken into custody on Wednesday by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) following a case filed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) concerning alleged misconduct during three previous national elections.

DMP Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman confirmed that Awal was arrested in Moghbazar, Dhaka, after the BNP lodged a complaint at the Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station.

The BNP has accused 24 individuals, including former Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners, of irregularities and biased actions during the national elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024.

Earlier this week, a Dhaka court also ordered a four-day remand for former CEC K.M. Nurul Huda on charges of alleged election manipulation.

Reports indicate that Huda faced mob violence before his arrest, following a case against him and others filed by the BNP.

Local media reported that a mob forcibly entered Huda's residence in Dhaka, dragged him outside, and publicly humiliated him by placing a garland of shoes around his neck before he was taken into police custody.

Two human rights organizations in Bangladesh have condemned the violent treatment Huda received.

Furthermore, 30 prominent citizens released a statement criticizing the mob violence against Huda and urged the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to take legal action against the perpetrators.

Despite the government's condemnation of the incident and promises of legal action, the statement highlighted the lack of visible steps taken, even with the public release of photos and videos of the assailants.

Instances of mob violence and lawless attacks have been reported across Dhaka and other districts over the past eight to ten months, yet little legal action has been seen against the offenders. The statement suggested that if proper legal measures had been taken, such violence might have been mitigated.

The Awami League has also condemned the incident, stating, "The former Chief Election Commissioner, Bir Muktijoddha Nurul Huda -- a decorated freedom fighter who once held a constitutional office -- was disgracefully dishonored and arrested through mob violence."

"This grave injustice has profoundly hurt the sentiment of the people of Bangladesh, yet the fascist Yunus regime, which has illegally clung to power like a boulder crushing the nation, continues to commit such monstrous acts," the Awami League further stated.

Analysts view these events as a significant political vendetta orchestrated by the Yunus regime, particularly as several cases have been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her supporters following her ouster in August 2024.

The abrupt exit of Hasina last August was perceived globally as a significant setback to the nation's democratic framework. The interim government has also faced substantial criticism for allegedly harboring radical and extremist Islamic groups.