Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ In a historic and unprecedented move, Bangladesh’s entire five-member Election Commission has resigned, marking the first time in the nation’s history that the body has voluntarily stepped down before completing its term. This significant development unfolds amidst intense political turbulence after Sheikh Hasina’s departure and widespread discontent regarding the nation’s electoral processes. Bangladesh is feeling the impact of Sheikh Hasina’s departure acutely, with the historic resignation of the entire Election Commission sending shockwaves across the nation.
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The mass resignation was led by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, who, along with the other commissioners, Brigadier General Md Ahsan Habib Khan (Retd), Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Md Anisur Rahman, submitted their resignations on Thursday. The commissioners cited their inability to ensure free and fair elections under the existing system as the primary reason for their departure. Accordingly, the Chief Election Commissioner, Awal, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, and his team left office after just two and a half years of service.
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The commission faced significant outrage, especially for holding the highly controversial January 7 general election, which was boycotted by most parties and which saw the Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, secure a fourth consecutive term. This election was widely boycotted by major opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and was marked by allegations of irregularities and lack of inclusivity. The situation culminated in significant protests and demonstrations, with large crowds rallying against the Election Commission in front of its office in the Agargaon area of Dhaka.
In the latest statement delivered at a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Awal underscored the gravity of the situation, remarking that no other Election Commission in Bangladesh’s 53-year history had voluntarily resigned before completing its term. Awal emphasized that the current system, with its reliance on party governance and lack of structural safeguards, undermines the ability to conduct fair elections free from undue influence. Awal said, “In the current system, we believe that a free, fair election – free from black money, muscle power, and influence of the administration and police – cannot be ensured by merely restructuring the commission”.
Additionally, Awal’s resignation statement highlighted several critical reforms needed to restore confidence in the electoral process. He proposed a series of fundamental changes, including the adoption of proportional representation and the introduction of non-partisan caretaker governments to oversee elections. According to Awal, these measures are essential for addressing the systemic issues that have plagued past elections. Specifically, Awal recommended transitioning to a proportional representation-based electoral system, which he argued would better reflect the diverse political landscape of Bangladesh. He also suggested multi-phase voting to enhance transparency and reduce the potential for fraud.
Additionally, Awal advocated for the return of non-partisan caretaker governments, which had previously been in place during elections in 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008, citing their relative success in ensuring fair and inclusive electoral processes. Accordingly, Awal’s call for proportional representation underscores his belief that Bangladesh’s homogeneous population could benefit from a system that more accurately reflects the diversity of political views and interests. He asserted that the last general election’s controversy stemmed from its lack of inclusivity, describing it as an election conducted “within” the party rather than “between” parties.
Furthermore, the mass resignation of the Election Commission is part of a broader period of political instability in Bangladesh, which has also seen the resignation of parliamentary speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, and all judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. This period has also been marked by significant upheavals in civil administration, the police force, and the financial sectors. As Bangladesh grapples with these significant changes, the call for comprehensive electoral reforms is likely to become a central issue in the national discourse. The departure of the Election Commission and the subsequent advocacy for proportional representation and caretaker governance signal a critical juncture in the nation’s political evolution. The coming months will reveal how the government and opposition parties respond to these recommendations and whether they will lead to meaningful changes in Bangladesh’s electoral framework.
