Sheikh Hasina
Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh 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 rule of Awami League. ‘Dhaka Tribune’ newspaper reported that after a meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin directed all 10 regional election officers to investigate the reasons for the breakdown in the election system and submit a detailed report.
BNP had boycotted the 2014 elections
The CEC has issued written instructions asking regional authorities 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 in the country’s history. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and allied parties boycotted the 2014 election, resulting in one-sided voting and 153 candidates being 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 dubbed the ‘midnight election’, with the BNP and its allies winning only seven seats. BNP and like-minded parties abstained from participating in the January 2024 elections. The election faced criticism for allegedly fielding ‘dummy’ candidates of the ruling Awami League as opposition representatives. As a result of this election, Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina was successful in coming to power for the fourth consecutive time.
Following the reconstitution of the Election Commission, demands for a thorough investigation of these elections were raised by civil society, media representatives and prominent individuals. He stressed the need for electoral reforms and accountability to restore public confidence.
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