Police report: Tk10,000 crore extortion financed ‘night-time voting’ in 2018

A confidential police probe has alleged that more than Tk10,000 crore was illicitly raised and used to engineer the 2018 general election, with money funnelled to law enforcement agencies, civil administrators and operatives of the then ruling Awami League to secure its victory in what later came to be known as the “midnight polls”.

The 456-page report claims that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and S Alam Group Chairman Saiful Alam played pivotal roles in mobilising and distributing the funds, most of which were sourced from major business groups.

The investigation, conducted over nearly six months by police and intelligence agencies under the interim government, concluded that the money was systematically deployed to manipulate the electoral process — from influencing polling officials and occupying voting centres to stuffing ballot boxes and managing results.

Of the estimated Tk10,000 crore, around Tk3,500 crore was allegedly paid directly to law enforcement and administrative officials. The rest was either channelled to political actors or embezzled by senior Awami League leaders who were in power at the time. The report states that Tk1,000 crore alone was allocated for the police.

Investigators said Saiful Alam, described as closely linked to the former ruling party, was responsible for raising the bulk of the funds. He allegedly collected about Tk8,000 crore illegally and oversaw its distribution among agencies involved in election administration.

By comparison, the official government allocation for the entire 2018 election was Tk966.72 crore, including Tk666.06 crore earmarked for election-related law enforcement — a figure vastly smaller than the off-book funds allegedly mobilised.

The report further alleged that part of the money was handed over to Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana, while Tk3,500 crore was directly distributed among law enforcement and civil administration officials. Another Tk5,000 crore was reportedly looted by six key planners and spent on political operations, grassroots management and covert activities linked to vote manipulation.

Funds meant for the police were allegedly disbursed in phases under the supervision of Salman F Rahman, the late HT Imam, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and several other senior officials.

To manage distribution, investigators claim a dedicated network was established at the LIC branch of police headquarters. Through this channel, money allegedly reached all 64 district police superintendents, eight range-level deputy inspectors general (DIGs), metropolitan police commissioners and heads of specialised units.

According to the report, district-level allocations ranged from Tk5 crore to Tk10 crore, while range-level officers received up to Tk15 crore. At the police station level, officers-in-charge were allegedly paid Tk10 lakh each, while investigation and operations officers received Tk5 lakh. Assistant superintendents of police and circle officers reportedly received between Tk5 lakh and Tk10 lakh.

Several senior officials were named as having received exceptionally large sums. Former RAB chief Benazir Ahmed allegedly received Tk100 crore, then Special Branch additional IGP Mir Shahidul Islam Tk50 crore, and then IGP Javed Patwary at least Tk150 crore.

The report claims at least 52 police officers were directly involved in field-level operations, including occupying polling centres, stuffing ballot boxes and controlling vote counts. Investigators also noted that about 15 officers named in the report are now living abroad, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, Dubai and India.

Those who allegedly took part in implementing the “night-time voting” were said to have been rewarded with promotions and medals.

The report further claimed that Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader oversaw the overall coordination of the operation, while party leaders and activists at all administrative levels participated in election fraud, including reducing vote counts, burning ballot papers and illegally filling ballot boxes.