Ahead of 13th general electionsBody camera purchase: Benazir–Nafisa-linked firm returns amid fresh allegation

Smart Technologies, a company associated with former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and former finance minister’s daughter Nafisa Kamal, has once again been involved in procuring body-worn cameras for police ahead of the 13th general elections, sparking fresh allegations of irregularities.

An investigation revealed that corruption occurred in the latest import of body cameras, despite earlier assurances of transparency. Although the cameras have already reached the field level, the police telecom division has declined to provide detailed information.

Analysts said remnants of the previous authoritarian regime embedded within the administration may be attempting to undermine the electoral process through unchecked corruption.

On 9 August last year, a high-level government meeting decided to procure 40,000 body-worn cameras at a cost of Tk269 crore to ensure a free and fair national election.

Following this decision, Smart Technologies – known for securing most police tenders during the Awami League regime except those handled by UNDP – allegedly moved swiftly to regain business.

Earlier, several media outlets published reports highlighting irregularities in camera purchases involving the same company. In response, the government issued a gazette notification the same day, stating that all procurement would be conducted through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure transparency.

At the time, the finance adviser said procurement through UNDP would ensure quality and competitive pricing, eliminating controversy over cost and standards.

However, according to the investigation, the UNDP is no longer involved in the procurement. Instead, police reportedly procured Chinese-made cameras using source money through Smart Technologies, along with four other firms – Dahua, TD Tech Ltd, KEDACOM and Oxen.

While Dahua acknowledged the presence of procurement information, it denied direct involvement. Dahua Technology’s marketing manager Farhan Khondker said the company did not directly sell the cameras in Bangladesh and acted only as a manufacturer for other participating firms.

Repeated attempts to obtain details from police headquarters were unsuccessful. AHM Shahadat Hossain, AIG (Media and PR) at police headquarters, said he had no update on the body camera issue and could not provide information on the number of cameras procured.

Experts believe the cameras were imported secretly to facilitate unrestrained corruption. They also fear that individuals loyal to the former regime within the administration may be attempting to sabotage the election process.

Rezual Karim Sohag, chairman of the Department of Criminology at Dhaka University, said functioning body cameras would prevent misconduct.

He warned that low-quality cameras might be deliberately procured so they fail to operate properly, thereby concealing mismanagement, crime, or disorder.