United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court on Monday placed former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on a four-day remand in a case over election manipulation. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the investigation officer of the case, said Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court’s Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi. Earlier, he was produced before the court with a plea for a 10-day remand, he said. On Sunday evening, police detained Nurul Huda from his residence in the capital’s Uttara area. The detention came just hours after a case was filed by the BNP at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on Sunday morning, accusing 24 people, including former Chief Election Commissioners, Election Commissioners and other officials involved in conducting the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections, of irregularities and biased conduct. Ex-CEC KM Nurul Huda detained from Uttara residence Earlier on Sunday, a four-member BNP delegation led by National Executive Committee member Salahuddin Khan filed the case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The complaint named 24 people, including former CECs Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, KM Nurul Huda and Kazi Habibul Awal, along with several unidentified persons. BNP alleges that the 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections were manipulated and held in a partisan manner, despite repeated calls for a non-partisan caretaker government and the deployment of army personnel with magistracy powers during polling.

Police detained former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda from his residence in the capital’s Uttara area on Sunday evening. The detention came just hours after a case was filed by the BNP at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on Sunday morning, accusing 24  people, including former Chief Election Commissioners, Election Commissioners and other officials involved in conducting the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections, of irregularities and biased conduct. Deputy Commissioner (Uttara Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Hafizur Rahman confirmed the detention, saying that based on secret information, a team from Uttara West Police Station conducted a raid on a house in Uttara Sector-5 around 7:30 pm and detained KM Nurul Huda. "For security reasons, he was handed over to the Detective Branch (DB) office on Minto Road shortly after he was detained," the DC said. As Huda is an accused in the case filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, he is likely to be shown arrested in connection with that case, he added. Rokeya University teacher Mahamud gets bail; OC transferred Earlier in the day, a four-member BNP delegation led by National Executive Committee member Salahuddin Khan filed the case at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The complaint named 24 people, including former CECs Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, KM Nurul Huda and Kazi Habibul Awal, along with several unidentified persons. BNP alleges that the 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections were manipulated and held in a partisan manner, despite repeated calls for a non-partisan caretaker government and the deployment of army personnel 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 and take action.” The 10th parliamentary election in January 2014 saw 153 Awami League candidates elected unopposed after the BNP and other opposition parties boycotted the polls. That election was held under the leadership of CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad. Ex-ministers Anisul, Qamrul, 2 others shown arrested in murder cases In the 11th parliamentary election of December 2018, overseen by CEC KM Nurul Huda, the BNP alleged that ballots were stuffed the night before voting. The 12th election in 2024, conducted under CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, was dismissed by the BNP as a “dummy election,” as the party chose not to participate. Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed the authorities to form a committee to investigate the roles of those involved in conducting the three controversial elections.

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Saturday said the next general election will not be acceptable without the participation of BNP, one of the major parties in the country. Speaking at a shadow parliament debate competition programme, he also said it is the responsibility of the ruling Awami League to ensure BNP’s participation in the polls. “I think the next election will not be acceptable if BNP does not participate in it as BNP is a very big political party,” he said. Also read: Quader asks BNP to shun undemocratic path, join polls Huda, however, urged BNP to take part in the election as he thinks no problem can be solved by boycotting the election. “You should sit in talks and discuss how you will go to the polls.” The debate for Democracy arranged the programme at Film Development Corporation (FDC), Bangladesh. Stating that the work of Election Commission is challenging not only in Bangladesh but also in the entire world, the former CEC said fair elections are not possible without political consensus. “The Election Commission has no role in creating political negotiations. The Election Commission also should not interfere in it. The government and the political parties should reach an agreement on the issue through discussions," he said. Huda thinks the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) should be used in the elections for checking various irregularities like snatching ballot boxes. “We have seen how people snatched ballot boxes and cast fake votes. This culture has been stopped by using EVMs… considering the political practices in Bangladesh, I think EVM should be used for at least the next 20 years,” he observed. The ex-CEC also said if people participate in the election in unison braving intimidation and obstacles, no force can suppress them. Replying to a question, he said, “It is challenging for the Election Commission to conduct polls under a partisan government, but it is possible to overcome this challenge if voters can come to the polling stations freely.” Also read: No scope to manipulate polls flexing muscle power: CEC Huda also bemoaned that it was uncomfortable for him as hundred percent votes were cast at some polling stations and some MPs were elected unopposed during his tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner. “Because we can't take any action after the presiding officer announces the results. Only then the court can resolve the issue.” He suggested the use of CCTV cameras in the polling stations to ensure transparency.