The Election Commission (EC) has repeatedly reversed course on key issues ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, retreating from earlier decisions on Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) deployment at polling stations, postal ballot design, party registration, constituency delimitation, and the code of conduct.
In multiple instances, the reversals immediately followed objections from BNP.
U-turn on BNCC deployment at polling stations
The EC had initially decided to deploy BNCC cadets at polling stations to manage queues, maintain discipline, and assist elderly, sick, disabled, and pregnant voters. To that end, it wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, setting out seven conditions, including political neutrality.
However, BNP objected to the decision, arguing after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin that the presence of the youth organisation at polling stations could create controversy.
According to BNP Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, election duties should be carried out only by law enforcement agencies explicitly authorised under existing laws.
Within two days, the EC withdrew the decision, with BNCC members now deployed only to maintain discipline at centres where postal ballots are counted.
Changes to postal ballot design
At the outset of postal voting, EC decided to place symbols on ballots in alphabetical order, sending the ballots to several countries. The BNP later alleged that its symbol, the sheaf of paddy, had been deliberately placed where the ballot folds, with the symbol appearing in a slanted position within the crease.
Subsequently, BNP leaders met the CEC on three occasions, demanding a redesign. The EC eventually caved and changed the design.
New ballots were printed for voters registered to cast postal votes within the country, showing only the final candidates and their symbols. EC officials said the redesign delayed domestic postal voting, and ballots have yet to reach all registered voters.
Last-minute changes to the code of conduct
Just a week before polling, EC amended the code of conduct for political parties and candidates, revising the rules surrounding voter slips. Under the revised rules, voter slips must not exceed 12 centimetres by 8 centimetres.
The amendment removes restrictions on distributing voter slips containing a candidate’s name, symbol, and party. Sources said the move followed BNP demands.
The revised code also relaxed restrictions on loudspeaker use. Candidates, or those campaigning on their behalf, may now use any number of microphones or loudspeakers. Previously, the limit was three at a single public meeting within a constituency.
The EC has amended the code of conduct several times since announcing the election schedule.
Multiple reversals on party registration
The EC has also repeatedly shifted its position on political party registration. After initial scrutiny, it announced decisions to register certain parties, only to reverse course following objections and reinvestigations.
After assuming office, the commission registered four political parties. It later announced plans to register the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Bangladesh National League, but objections against the National League triggered a reinvestigation. The EC ultimately decided not to register the National League.
Protesting the refusal to register the Amjanatar Dal, the party’s member secretary, Tarek Rahman, staged an indefinite hunger strike outside the EC. BNP leaders and other political figures expressed solidarity, and some met the election commissioners. Following political pressure, the EC registered both the Amjanatar Dal and the Janatar Dal.
The decisions have since prompted other groups to press for registration. Recently, activists of the Amjanagan Party demonstrated outside the EC building demanding registration.
Reversals on parliamentary constituency boundaries
The redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries proved the most contentious issue for EC in this election. Although the law states that EC decisions on delimitation are final, unprecedented legal challenges were filed.
The commission altered boundaries in 46 constituencies, reducing seats in Bagerhat from four to three and adding one seat in Gazipur. More than 30 writ petitions followed.
After the High Court declared the gazette on Bagerhat and Gazipur illegal, EC reversed its decision and issued a new gazette on the same day the election schedule was announced.
Even after the schedule was published, voting in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 was suspended following court stay orders. After fresh writs were resolved, the EC resumed polling in both constituencies and later withdrew its appeal against the High Court verdicts.
Changes to the election schedule
EC also amended the announced election schedule, a move not seen in recent polls. The schedule allowed seven days for scrutiny of nomination papers, despite election conduct rules specifying five days.
In this instance, the EC did not follow its own rules.
Dialogue with political parties
In November last year, EC held dialogues with political parties ahead of the election. It initially decided to invite all registered parties but later reversed the decision.
Under the revised plan, the EC did not invite the Jatiya Party and several Awami League allies; instead, it held talks with 49 political parties in four phases. Political parties have questioned the commission’s neutrality over the move.
Asked about the repeated reversals, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told TIMES of Bangladesh that the changes were made to ensure a free and fair election. He said there had been internal differences within the commission over BNCC deployment and that decisions were reviewed after political parties raised objections.
Responding to questions about political pressure, he said there was none. The commission, he said, reviewed issues from different perspectives at different times and adopted only decisions it considered reasonable, adding that it was carrying out its duties independently.
