Govt reconstitutes panel to investigate last three national elections

NN Online:
The government has restructured the previously formed committee and constituted a new five-member commission to investigate allegations of irregularities in the last three national elections held under the Awami League in 2014, 2018, and 2024.

According to a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday night, the commission will also recommend measures to ensure free, fair, and participatory elections in the future.

Although reconstituted, the commission retains the same members as the earlier committee, and its terms of reference remain unchanged. However, the deadline for submitting the final report has been extended by one month — from September 30 to October 31.

The notification acknowledges that the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections were widely criticized both domestically and internationally. In light of these criticisms and allegations of manipulation, the government has tasked the commission with reviewing the conduct of the elections and proposing necessary electoral reforms.

It also notes that the alleged irregularities during these polls may have breached constitutional requirements, particularly the obligation to govern through elected representatives.

The commission will be led by retired High Court Justice Shamim Hasnain, who also headed the earlier committee. The other members include former Additional Secretary Shamim Al Mamun, Dhaka University Law Associate Professor Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Supan, Advocate Barrister Tajrian Akram Hossain of the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court, and election expert Dr Md Abdul Alim.