The government has formed a five-member committee to investigate serious allegations of irregularities surrounding the last three national parliamentary elections held in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
These elections have been widely criticised both at home and abroad, with accusations that the ruling Awami League maintained its hold on power through orchestrated processes that suppressed the people’s right to vote.
Observers and political parties voices have long argued that such practices undermined the constitutional principle of governance through elected representatives, raising fears about damage to the rule of law, democratic norms, and basic human rights.
All this happened in the past.
In a dramatic development underscoring these concerns, two former Chief Election Commissioners– KM Nurul Huda and Habibul Awal– were arrested on charges of dereliction of duty and complicity in election manipulation.
During court hearings, Nurul Huda denied all wrongdoing but admitted under pressure that “significant external influences” had affected the fairness of the 2018 polls.
Habibul Awal acknowledged before the magistrate that the 2024 election was a “dummy” exercise, describing it as a political farce. “It was a mock election. There was no real political competition due to the lack of consensus among parties,” he admitted during a hearing at the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.
The arrests followed the filing of fraud and embezzlement charges against three former chief election commissioners who oversaw the 10th, 11th, and 12th Jatiya Sangsad elections. The case was filed by a BNP leader against 24 individuals, accusing them of conducting the disputed elections without public participation, violating constitutional duties, and using threats to suppress opposition.
Another accused is former CEC Kazi Rakibuddin, while former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also been named in the case.
These legal proceedings are ongoing, but the interim government has meanwhile initiated another move.
The government has constituted a five-member committee to investigate allegations of various irregularities in the last three “controversial” national elections. The committee has been tasked with providing recommendations for holding fair general elections in the future.
To this effect, the Cabinet Division issued a circular on Thursday.
“Three national parliamentary elections were held in Bangladesh in 2014, 2018, and 2024. These elections have been widely criticised both domestically and internationally. There are strong allegations that the ruling Awami League was returned to power through orchestrated processes by suppressing the people’s right to vote using various tactics,” the circular stated.
It stated that the interim government has decided to investigate the corruption, irregularities, and criminal activities that took place during these elections, aiming to protect people’s voting rights, safeguard democracy, and prevent threats of fascist and authoritarian rule in the future.
“For this purpose, the government has formed a committee to investigate allegations regarding the last three national parliamentary elections and to make recommendations for conducting fair elections going forward.”
Former High Court Division justice Shamim Hasnain will head the committee.
Other members include former additional secretary Shamim Al Mamun; Dhaka University Law Department associate professor Kazi Mahfuzul Haque; Advocate Barrister Tajrian Akram Hossain of the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court; and election expert Dr Md Abdul Alim.
The committee has been asked to submit its report to the government by September 30, 2025.
The government says this formal investigation into the past three elections aims to protect the right to vote and uphold democratic practices against the threat of authoritarianism or fascism. According to the Cabinet Division circular, the committee will examine allegations of corruption, irregularities, and even criminal acts connected to these elections. Beyond fact-finding, it will also develop recommendations for free and fair general elections in the future.
Authorities hope that the committee’s findings– supported by testimony from those who once oversaw the very elections now under scrutiny– will lay the groundwork for meaningful electoral reform and help restore public confidence in Bangladesh’s democratic process. By addressing allegations about past elections and responding to the confessions of former election chiefs, the government aims to create a fairer, more transparent voting system that preserves the constitutional rights of the people.