Former CEC Habibul Awal sent to jail after remand ends

A Dhaka court has ordered former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal to be sent to jail after his three-day remand in a case involving criminal breach of trust and sedition charges.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Inspector Syed Majedur Rahman presented Awal before the court on Sunday (29 June) and requested his detention for further investigation.

The case alleges that during his tenure as CEC under the previous Awami League government, Awal violated constitutional provisions, deprived citizens of their voting rights, and facilitated a “farcical” election held on 7 January 2024.

The investigation claims Awal, along with other election officials, supported then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by favoring Awami League and allied candidates. It also alleges the use of dummy independent candidates and the allocation of a few parliamentary seats to the Jatiya Party to create a façade of competition.

Awal is accused of announcing election results with a claimed 40% voter turnout and publishing the official gazette confirming the elected MPs, thereby aiding the Awami League’s return to power.

While Awal’s lawyers sought bail, arguing it would bolster public confidence in the judiciary, the prosecution, represented by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqui, opposed the plea.