Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) Election Commissioner Bangladesh Election Commission

Honourable Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) assumed the responsibilities of Election Commissioner on 24 November 2024.

Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) was born on 1 July 1968 in Nachole Upazila of Chapainawabganj District. He completed his primary, secondary, and higher secondary education from No. 1 Nachole Government Primary School, Nachole Pilot High School, and Nachole College, respectively. In July 1986, he joined the Bangladesh Military Academy as a cadet of the 18th BMA Long Course and was commissioned into the Infantry in June 1988. For outstanding excellence in all aspects of training, he was adjudged the Best All-Round Cadet and was awarded the prestigious “Sword of Honour” by His Excellency the President.

Throughout his professional career and training, Brigadier General Fazal demonstrated exceptional merit and achieved remarkable distinction. He secured first position in the Army Staff Course, which qualified him to attend a second Staff Course in the United States. He also attained the highest distinction in the National Defence Course. For achieving first position in more than three major military courses conducted at home, he was awarded the “SUP” (Sena Utkarsha Padak). In recognition of his exemplary command abilities, he was twice commended by the Chief of Army Staff.

In addition to extensive domestic training, Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) received advanced foreign training in warfare, geo-strategy, and intelligence. These included the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officers Course (United States); Higher Defence Management Course (India); Mid-Career Course (Pakistan); and the International Intelligence Directors Course (United Kingdom). He was adjudged the Best International Student/Participant in both the Higher Defence Management Course (India) and the Mid-Career Course (Pakistan).

Over a distinguished career spanning 34 years and 7 months, he held numerous key command and staff appointments. His notable command positions included Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion, Brigade Commander, and Commandant of the Army Security Unit. He also served as Head of the Training Division at the Army Training and Doctrine Command. In staff roles, he served as GSO-3 (Operations) of the 46 Independent Infantry Brigade; GSO-2 at the Directorate of Military Operations; and Colonel General Staff at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Brigadier General Fazal is widely recognized as a “Distinguished Instructor.” As a faculty member, he served as Instructor/Directing Staff in the Tactics Wing of the Defence Services Command and Staff College and the School of Infantry and Tactics.

He served in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Somalia during 1994–1995 and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2003–2004.

Brigadier General Fazal is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur; National Defence College, Mirpur; United States Army Command and General Staff College; and the College of Defence Management, India. Prior to his retirement from the Bangladesh Army, he served as Military Adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad and concurrently at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tehran.

Alongside his military career, Brigadier General Fazal undertook several other significant responsibilities. He served as Chairman of the Governing Bodies of multiple schools and colleges. He was also the Club Captain of Kurmitola Golf Club and the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Golf Federation. Additionally, he was a member of the Board of Directors of “Jolshiri Abashon,” the largest housing project of the Bangladesh Army. He remains actively involved in various social and welfare initiatives.

Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) holds three Master’s degrees: a Master of Defence Studies from the National University (First Class, First Position); a Master of Military Arts and Science from the United States; and a Master of Management Studies from India (First Class with Distinction). He is currently a PhD Research Fellow at the Bangladesh University of Professionals. His areas of academic interest and research include Democracy and National Security, Geo-strategy and Geopolitics, and Warfare and Military Transformation.

His spouse is Mrs. Shahida Chowdhury. They are blessed with one son and one daughter.