Body formed to probe NID frauds of Gen Aziz's brothers: CEC

A committee has been formed to probe the alleged national identity (NID) card frauds of General (retd) Aziz Ahmed's two brothers, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul said today.

"The committee is working on the matter. Action will be taken against whoever is guilty. If anyone has carried out the work in exchange for a bribe, that will also be investigated," he said during a programme organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) held at the Election Commission building in the capital.

When asked whether the commission will develop a system to prevent such incidents in the future, Kazi Habibul Awal responded, "Even America can't do it."

"The NID card is a very good system. But some have used this system for their own gain. We've got information regarding NID forgery. All those who did such things are criminals and must be punished for their crimes," the CEC said.

Earlier on 20 May, the United States announced the public designation of Aziz Ahmed and his family over allegations of "significant corruption", stating that his actions contributed to undermining "Bangladesh's democratic institutions and the public's faith in public institutions and processes."

This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the US.

According to the US State Department statement, Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh.

According to media reports, Aziz Ahmed's two brothers, Haris Ahmed and Tofail Ahmed, alias Joseph, allegedly collected NIDs by changing their names and their parents' names. Tofail had two NIDs made, one under the name Tanvir Ahmed Tanzil and the other in his original name. Haris Ahmed made an NID under the name Mohammed Hasan.

Reports were published in different media about Aziz Ahmed's influence in making NID cards and passports, providing false information for his brothers during his tenure as the army chief.

When asked about the lack of public confidence in elections, the CEC said, "People should have confidence. If someone can show that we went somewhere at night and received money and filled our pockets, then there will be no trust. Show that crores of taka have been deposited in any election commissioner's account. So why would people not have confidence?

"We have tried to organise the election in an impartial manner. We have not engaged in any dishonest or biased behaviour. Therefore, people should have confidence," he added.

However, he admitted that the 12th parliamentary election was not inclusive, attributing this to a major party not participating.

Furthermore, he believes that more development and reforms should be brought into the election system.

"We have abandoned the provision of requiring the signature of 1% of voters for independent candidates to run in local government elections. We will propose its removal in national elections as well," he said.