
Govt forms panel to probe last three national elections in Bangladesh
Staff Correspondent
The government has dissolved the previously formed committee and constituted a new five-member commission to review the allegations of manipulated last three national elections held under the Awami League in 2014, 2018 and 2024.
The commission has also been asked to recommend measures for ensuring fair polls in the future, according to a Cabinet Division gazette notification issued on Tuesday night.
The members of the newly formed commission remain unchanged as those of the earlier committee and the scope of work also remains unchanged.
However, the timeframe for submitting the report has been extended by one month from the earlier deadline of September 30 to October 31.
The notification said that the 2014, 2018, and 2024 national elections drew widespread criticisms both at home and abroad.
In light of the allegations, the government has decided to form this commission to review the claims of irregularities in those elections and suggest actionable reforms to ensure credible and participatory polls in the future, the order reads.
The notification also says that the conduct of these elections allegedly violated constitutional obligations, particularly the requirement to govern through elected representatives.
The commission will be headed by High Court Justice (retd) Shamim Hasnain, who also chaired the earlier committee.
The other members are former Additional Secretary Shamim Al Mamun, DU law faculty Associate Prof Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Supan, Advocate Barrister Tajrian Akram Hossain of the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court, and election expert Dr Md Abdul Alim.