Former Chief CEC Habibul Awal granted 3-day remand

The court has granted a three-day remand to former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal in a sedition and fraudulent election case filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. 

Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman issued the remand order on Thursday.

The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Shamsuzzoha Sarkar, requested a 10-day remand for a thorough investigation, with Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi representing the state. 

The defense sought to cancel the remand and secure bail, but the court rejected the bail plea and granted the remand.

Previously, on June 23, the court granted a four-day remand to Nurul Huda in the same case. On Wednesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch arrested Habibul Awal in Moghbazar, Dhaka.

On June 22, the BNP filed the case, accusing the Election Commission of failing to uphold constitutional duties during the Awami League government and conducting elections through intimidation, bypassing public votes. Salahuddin Khan, a BNP national executive committee member, filed the case, which later included charges of treason, fraud, and embezzlement on June 25.

The case alleges that BNP leaders and activists were excluded from three elections through false cases, mass arrests, kidnappings, disappearances, murders, and torture. 

It claims the Election Commission, despite its constitutional role, violated the law by interfering in elections, using intimidation, and falsely declaring winners without public votes.

Witnesses include voters from the polling stations, those denied voting rights, law enforcement personnel, honest presiding and polling officers, and local residents. 

The investigation will scrutinise ballot paper seals and signatures to verify voting authenticity and uncover the truth.