BNP files complaint over alleged poll rigging during ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's regime

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the political outfit that has competed against the fallen Awami League for decades in the country, on Sunday filed a case against 24 individuals, including three former chief election commissioners, 10 election commissioners, and top government and police officials, for their alleged role in irregularities and bias during general polls held between 2014 and 2024.

IBNS • 23 Jun 2025, 07:55 am

During this period, the country was ruled by former PM Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power amid violent protests against her regime on August 5, 2024.

The case was filed in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

A five-member BNP delegation, led by party executive committee member Salahuddin Khan, also delivered a copy of the case application to CEC AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission, reported The Daily Star.

BNP Expects EC Will Investigate The Matter

Salahuddin told the newspaper: "We hope the current Election Commission will investigate the matter and take action."

A case has been filed against former CECs Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, KM Nurul Huda, and Kazi Habibul Awal.

Also named in the case are ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, The Daily Star reported.

The BNP mentioned in its complaint that its leaders, activists of the party and its allies were attacked and harassed during each of the past three elections.

The political outfit said that when its party leaders attempted to submit nomination papers, they were obstructed by Awami League supporters.

'EC Ignored Complaints'

They alleged the Election Commission ignored their complaints.

The complaint said the 2024 election was also "one-sided", as most parties rejected it while the Awami League continued with the polls using independent "dummy" candidates and offering a few seats to the Jatiya Party, reported The Daily Star.

Interestingly, the BNP filed the complaint just days after interim government chief Muhammad Yunus ordered a probe into the role of previous election commissions in the irregularities surrounding the past three general elections.