The political shift of January 11, 2007, is commonly known as “One–Eleven”. At the time, the army–backed caretaker government was headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed. Contentious debate over that government’s state affairs and executive decisions persists to this day, with several influential figures from that era’s constitutional, military and civil frameworks active in the current interim government’s policy–making core.
Allegations of back–door communications between several influential figures from the military–backed caretaker government and the Awami League ahead of the ninth national polls, coupled with an unusually high voter turnout, remain focal points of criticism. Turnout in that 2008 contest exceeded 87 percent while more than 74 constituencies recorded figures surpassing 90 percent: a statistical anomaly. Doubts persist over the neutrality of the upcoming February 12 elections, given that several key figures from the 1/11 era now hold office in the interim government. Political parties are openly questioning whether the thirteenth national polls will achieve broad legitimacy or merely replicate a history of anxiety and dispute.
Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain was an election commissioner during the military–backed caretaker period and now serves as an adviser to the interim government. He oversees ministries of labour and shipping, bringing extensive administrative and electoral experience to the current administration. Hussain was sworn in on August 8, 2024, alongside the chief adviser and 13 other adviser following the ouster of the Awami League government. He was first appointed as the home affairs adviser to the interim government. Later, he was moved to the textiles and jute ministry before his latest reallocation to labour and shipping ministries.
M Sakhawat Hussain was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1966. He spent nearly two years in internment camp after the liberation war. He later joined the Bangladesh Army in 1973. During his career, he served as a brigade staff officer, held responsibilities in the Directorate of Operations, and commanded two infantry brigades and one artillery brigade. He retired from military service in 1994 as a brigadier general: a career that preceded his 2007–2012 tenure at the Election Commission.
Addressing the prospects for the thirteenth national election, Hussain told Bonik Barta: “I won’t comment on the election. It’s a matter entirely for the Election Commission.” In response to a question about whether influential figures in the government during the “1/11” period maintained contact with the Awami League, he added, “I can speak for myself — I did not. No one from the Election Commission did. I can’t say whether anyone else had contact with them at that time.”
Ali Imam Majumder, the incumbent adviser for food and land ministries, served as a cabinet secretary under Fakhruddin Ahmed’s caretaker government from December 2006 until his retirement in November 2008. He also shouldered the additional responsibilities of principal secretary. Before that, he was a secretary for the labour and employment ministry.
Entering the civil service in 1977, Majumder’s career spans roles as a member of the Planning Commission and chairman of both Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Sonali Bank. The influential former bureaucrat was also a trustee of Transparency International Bangladesh and had consulted on various JICA projects.
Following the collapse of the Awami League government, Ali Imam Majumder joined the interim government on August 12, 2024, as a special assistant to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. Four days later, he was sworn in as the food adviser. He subsequently took on the additional responsibility for the Ministry of Land on January 20 last year.
Many in the administration cadre have confirmed that after the caretaker government took office in 2007–08, Majumder was the architect behind restructuring the civil administration. Similarly, he has maintained his influence in the current interim government. From the outset of this government, he has been tasked with reshaping the civil service. The 1982 batch of the administration cadre was reinstated under his plan. Controversial for various reasons, this batch now plays a decisive role in determining the conduct of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Officers from this batch occupy key positions across the Cabinet Division, Election Commission, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration, and other critical government departments.
Md Touhid Hossain is the current foreign affairs adviser who was sworn in after the Hasina–led government was ousted in August 2024. He was previously appointed as secretary to the foreign ministry on December 17, 2006 and remained in the role until July 8, 2009. Then he was appointed as a principal of the Foreign Service Academy. His diplomatic career includes a 2012 posting as High Commissioner to South Africa and a four–year term as Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata from 2001 to 2005.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party filed complaints against members of the advisory council after meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus last October. While the details remained private at the time, names have since surfaced. Party sources indicate that among those cited was Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, the current adviser for power, energy, and bridges. Khan, who joined the civil service in 1979, was the secretary to the power ministry during the 1/11 era.
Khan was appointed as an adviser to the interim government on August 16, 2024. Between 1992 and 1995, he took a lien from government services to teach economics at the National University of Singapore. He has also held multiple academic positions abroad and was the chief executive of the state–owned Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) between 1998 and 2007. He then served as secretary of the Power Division in the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources from 2007 to 2009.
Another influential figure from the 1/11 era is Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who served at the time as the Bangladesh Army’s principal staff officer. After the Awami League government was dismissed in 2024, he was appointed an adviser to the interim government on August 16, 2024, with responsibility for the ministries of home affairs and agriculture.
Chowdhury’s military career began with his commission into the Bangladesh Army’s artillery corps on January 11, 1975, making him among the first officers commissioned in independent Bangladesh. His subsequent postings included serving as director general of the Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) from 2003 to 2006. After the 2009 BDR mutiny, he led the army’s investigation committee. Jahangir Alam retired from service on February 2, 2010.
A former senior government official, speaking anonymously, told Bonik Barta: “The key question now is how impartial they can remain. During the government at that time, led by Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed, there were informal contacts with the Awami League. Allegations of close ties also surrounded officials such as Ali Imam Majumder. Fouzul Kabir Khan was noted as a significant part of the administrative structure at the time, though he had no direct involvement once the Awami League returned to power. But it’s also said that some individuals skilfully shift their positions during power transitions and maintain ties with multiple sides, which has fueled public suspicion and debate.”
The current Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam also served during the military–backed caretaker administration as chief of the Special Branch. A 1984 BCS police cadre officer, he later held senior posts at police headquarters and served overseas as a police liaison officer at the UN Department of Peace Operations from 2009 to 2013. His overseas assignments also included roles as a senior Police adviser in Afghanistan in 2015 and postings in Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone. Passed over twice for promotion during the Awami League’s tenure, Baharul Alam retired in 2020.
Political analysts note that several figures who played key roles in state administration during the 1/11 period are now directly or indirectly involved in the interim government’s policy making circles. Their effectiveness, and the controversy surrounding them, will ultimately hinge on the government’s transparency, accountability and handling of the electoral process.
Speaking to Bonik Barta, AKM Abdul Awal Majumder, a former secretary and ex rector of the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre, said: “An election lies ahead, and I believe everyone will try to ensure it’s a good one. There’s no alternative. The Election Commission, the government, and the political parties will together deliver a credible poll — that’s the expectation.”
During the 1/11 period, Md Mokhlesur Rahman served as secretary of the Anti–Corruption Commission. He is currently a senior secretary in the Planning Commission’s Industry and Energy Division. A 1982 batch administration cadre officer, he was reappointed from retirement on a two–year contract as senior secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration on August 28, 2024, after the interim government removed his predecessor, Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury. However, Rahman’s tenure was marked by disorder over transfers, postings and promotions, alongside allegations of irregularities in the appointment of deputy commissioners. He was then shifted to the Planning Division just 13 months into his role at the public administration ministry. Previously, the now–ousted Awami League government had compulsorily retired him in 2015 while he was an additional secretary. His earlier postings included divisional commissioner of Chattogram and secretary to the Public Service Commission.
On preparations for the 13th parliamentary elections, cabinet secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid recently told Bonik Barta that the administration is fully prepared to carry out its responsibilities with due neutrality. “We don’t see any major crisis in this work so far,” he said. “We are optimistic that a completely fair election will be held this time. The administration will do everything necessary to ensure it.”