Sheikh Mujib's portrait now removed from EC ahead of new CEC's briefing 

A portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taken down today from the Election Commission's conference room shortly before the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), AMM Md Nasir Uddin addressed journalists and the newly-appointed election commissioners.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath to CEC AMM Nasir Uddin and the four commissioners at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge at 1:30pm today (24 November).

They then went to the Election Commission for the briefing slated for 4pm.

Around 4 pm, two commission staffers went to the conference room on the fifth floor of the building and brought down the portrait that had been hanging on the wall for a long time. 

The press conference then began at 4:30pm.

Earlier on 11 November, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait was removed from the Darbar Hall in Bangabhaban, the official residence of Bangladesh's president.

Adviser Mahfuj Alam, in a Facebook post, said, "The photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a post-'71 fascist, is removed from Darbar Hall. It is a shame for us that we couldn't remove his pictures from Bangabhaban after 5 August. Apologies. But he won't be seen anywhere till people's July spirit lives on.

"Awami League must acknowledge and apologise for what Sheikh Mujib and his daughter have done to the people of Bangladesh, starting from the non-democratic '72 constitution to famine, laundering of billions [of takas], and extrajudicial killings of thousands of dissidents and opponents (1972-75, 2009-2024). Then, we can talk about pre-'71 Sheikh Mujib. Without apologies and trials of fascists, there won't be any kind of reconciliation."

According to Article 4A of Bangladesh's Constitution, "The Portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shall be preserved and displayed" in key government offices, including those of the president, prime minister, Speaker, and chief justice, as well as in government and semi-government offices, educational institutions, and embassies."

In 2000, the Awami League government passed a law making it obligatory for all government offices to display Bangabandhu's portrait. However, this law was repealed in 2001 when the BNP-led government took office.