TDS Desk:

Controversy surrounds the three national elections held under the now–ousted Awami League government, with the National Election Inquiry Commission finding evidence that the administration played a major role in enabling the party’s one–sided victories. Political analysts believe the acceptability of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, slated for February 2026, will hinge on the conduct of the field administration officials and staff tasked with its execution.

They state the executive branch is obliged to assist the Election Commission. This encompasses the entire administrative structure, including district administrators, upazila executive officers, the police administration, and returning and assistant returning officers. Although these officials functionally operate under the commission during the election period, their promotions, transfers, and disciplinary matters remain controlled by the executive branch — the most sensitive flaw in the electoral system.

Senior executives at the core of the administration, however, acknowledge challenges persist regarding the role of the bureaucracy in the forthcoming poll. They maintain that every preparation is being made to ensure the upcoming election is free and fair.

When asked about the matter, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid told Journalists, “An election is always a challenging affair. This time is no exception. Various challenges exist. But the administration is fully prepared to meet those challenges and hold a fair election. We are optimistic that a fair, acceptable election will be held this time.”

National elections were held under the Awami League government in 2014, 2018 and 2024. While the Election Commission was utilised in these polls, a significant part of the administration and law–enforcement agencies worked behind the scenes to secure victory for the Awami League. Their role involved oppressing opposition parties, instilling fear and enabling workers of the then–ruling party to seize polling stations.

The National Election (2014, 2018 & 2024) Inquiry Commission has published and submitted its report on these three contentious polls. Its findings state the 2014 election — uncontested in 153 constituencies and merely ‘contested’ in the remaining 147 — was entirely orchestrated and pre–planned. This arrangement was made, following decisions at the highest state level, to keep the Awami League in power.

The report further notes that the formation of a government led by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League after that 2014 vote sparked international criticism. Subsequently, the BNP and other opposition parties were used to create a facade of competition for the 2018 election — a tactical plan by the Awami League. That year, victory for the League was secured by stamping ballot papers in 80 percent of centres during the night. The commission found that a form of corrupt competition within the administration to ensure this outcome.

The government led by Sheikh Hasina then planned to capitalise on these two consecutive victories for the 2024 election. When the BNP and other opposition parties decided to boycott this poll, the Awami League government resorted to the stratagem of fielding ‘dummy’ candidates.

In executing these political manoeuvres across the three elections, parts of the election commission, administration, police and intelligence agencies were deployed as state instruments. Special electoral cells were formed with selected officials. From 2014 to 2024, control of the electoral system was shifted from the Election Commission to the administration, which became the primary force managing the polls.

The report cites specific reasons for the entire system becoming tainted and controversial: using state intelligence agencies and a designated section of the armed forces to determine electoral strategy; filing false and harassing cases against opposition candidates and workers; arresting and disappearing opposition figures in non–bailable, fabricated cases; casting fake votes; deploying the executive branch for electoral fraud; intimidating voters; obstructing voter access to polling centres; irregular parliamentary boundary delimitation; pre–stuffing ballot boxes; altering voter turnout rates; restricting media access to polling centres; unilaterally appointing a compliant chief election commissioner and other commissioners; inducing candidates to withdraw through intimidation and enticement; failing to publish formal electoral statistics afterward; destroying election–related documents and data; failing to investigate electoral complaints properly; propping up dummy candidates; attempting to split opposition parties; bias in accrediting election observers; discrimination in registering political parties; and the wasteful expenditure of state funds in the name of elections.

A former senior secretary, speaking anonymously, told journalists that while the administration is nominally under the Election Commission’s authority, allegiance often dictates practice. “Political pressure or career considerations can become a core obstacle to performing neutral duties,” he said. “The result is that even within the same legal framework, vastly different experiences can emerge from one election to the next.”

The country is not without precedent for well–conducted polls, however. Following the 1990 mass uprising, then–Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed became interim president by consensus of all parties. A caretaker government formed under his leadership which conducted an acceptable and participatory election within just 78 days. Though the BNP came to power through that vote, neither the Awami League, Jamaat, nor any other opposition party questioned its integrity. At that time, administration officials did not stand as an obstacle to holding a free, fair and acceptable election.

Former Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told journalists, “All officials, staff, and law enforcement personnel on duty during elections work under the direction of the commission. While officers involved in voting and result processes come from various ministries, divisions, and departments, during the election they are accountable to the commission. However, as job evaluations are conducted through the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division, the cooperation of these departments is essential. In other words, the entire election process is carried out in a coordinated manner.”