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Dhaka: Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) has decided to investigate the elections held during Sheikh Hasina's tenure. These include the controversial elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024 held under the Awami League rule. After a meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin directed all 10 regional election officers to investigate the reasons for the deterioration in the election system and submit a detailed report, the 'Dhaka Tribune' newspaper reported.
BNP boycotted the 2014 elections
The CEC has issued written instructions asking regional officers to identify past irregularities and deficiencies and report their findings to the EC secretariat. The national elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024 are widely considered to be among the most controversial elections in the country's history. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and allied parties boycotted the 2014 election, which resulted in a one-sided vote and 153 candidates elected unopposed, an unprecedented event in the country's electoral history.
There were allegations of rigging in the 2018 elections
The 2018 election was marred by allegations of rigging and was called a 'midnight election', with the BNP and its allies winning only seven seats. The BNP and like-minded parties abstained from participating in the January 2024 election. The election faced criticism for allegedly fielding 'dummy' candidates of the ruling Awami League as opposition representatives. The election resulted in the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League coming to power for the fourth consecutive time.
After the reconstitution of the Election Commission, civil society, media representatives and prominent individuals demanded a thorough investigation of these elections. They stressed the need for electoral reforms and accountability to restore public confidence.
