Former chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said fair elections in Bangladesh would remain impossible “even after a thousand years” without fundamental reforms. He also highlighted inconsistencies in Awal’s public statements on voter turnout during the election day and condemned his alleged failure to uphold responsibility as chief election commissioner. During his brief court statement, Awal acknowledged the election had been a sham and mockery but denied allegations of wrongdoing. Tensions rose in the courtroom when the prosecutor accused Awal of justifying wrongdoing, and Awal responded with a sharp retort, causing a heated exchange. The case alleges that during these elections, opposition parties were systematically excluded through fake cases, enforced disappearances, and voter intimidation, severely undermining the democratic process.
