Sheikh Hasina, 3 former CECs among 18 sued for holding fraudulent elections

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and three former chief election commissioners (CECs), along with 14 other individuals, were sued over allegations of organising fraudulent national elections.

Ekramul Karim, former General Secretary of Chattogram City BNP, filed the case in the court of Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate-6 Kazi Shariful Haque on Wednesday. Kafil Uddin, the plaintiff‍‍`s lawyer, confirmed the matter.

The complaint accuses Hasina and the ex-CECs—Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, KM Nurul Huda, and Kazi Habibul Awal—along with other commissioners, secretaries, and several members of parliament (MPs) of overseeing three illegal and deceptive national elections during the previous Awami League government.

In a statement, Kafil criticised the electoral process: “In the last three elections, many popular leaders, including opposition parties, were absent. Ordinary people could not exercise their voting rights. Due to the failure of those in the Election Commission, the administration and law enforcement also behaved unilaterally in the election field. The three elections that took place with massive expenditure were conducted in violation of the constitution by the commissioners and administrative officials. Therefore, the case of treason and fraud has been filed.”

Kafil added that the case not only targets those who organised the elections but also those who benefited from the fraudulent process: “At the same time, those who have been elected as MPs in these elections are also included in the case due to their illegal enjoyment of benefits.”

The complaint highlighted that the accused played an active role in organising biased and exclusionary elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. It alleges that these elections violated the constitution and led to the declaration of unelected individuals as MPs, which eroded public trust and confidence in constitutional institutions.

The court has accepted the case and instructed the police to conduct an investigation into the allegations of treason and electoral fraud.