Dhaka: The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has established a new five-member commission to probe allegations of manipulation in national elections held under the Awami League in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
According to a Cabinet Division gazette notification issued on July 29, the commission’s mandate includes reviewing claims of electoral irregularities and proposing reforms to ensure “credible and participatory polls” in the future.
The notification highlighted that the elections in question faced “widespread criticisms both at home and abroad” for alleged violations of constitutional obligations, particularly the requirement to govern through elected representatives.
To address these concerns, the commission has been tasked with recommending actionable measures to safeguard the integrity of future elections.
Meanwhile, national elections in Bangladesh are likely to be announced in the first week of August by the interim government, according to media reports. Yunus is expected to make the announcement in a national address. Elections to install a government with a political mandate are likely to be held in February next year.
Pressure has been mounting on Yunus to announce elections, as the country has been without an elected government since the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
