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Published : 12 Jan 2026, 08:21 PM
An interim government-commissioned inquiry into the last three general elections has found that the “administration, police, and intelligence agencies” were used to run those polls, effectively sidelining the Election Commission, in a top-level strategy designed to keep the Awami League in power.
The National Election Investigation Commission, formed to probe allegations of corruption, irregularities, and criminal activity in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, handed the report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Monday.
Former High Court judge Shamim Hasnain, the commission chair, formally submitted the document at the State Guest House Jamuna, as explained later at a press briefing by Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
According to the report, the master plan involved transferring control of the three elections from the Election Commission to the administration, effectively making the civil bureaucracy the primary authority overseeing the polls.
The commission was initially formed on Jun 26 to review allegations surrounding elections held under the Awami League government and to assess the roles of the Election Commission, law enforcement and other authorities.
The interim government later expanded the committee’s mandate and set deadlines for submission of recommendations, eventually extending them several times beyond Oct 31.
In the briefing, Shafiqul said: “The final report of the commission examining the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections has now been submitted.”
Chair Shamim said, “While the investigation covers three separate elections, they were part of a single masterplan that originated after 2008.
“After the caretaker government system was abolished in 2011, a long-term strategy ensured that the ruling party could retain power by any means. All actions, patterns, and irregularities in subsequent elections are documented in this report.”
The investigation committee comprises former secretary Shamim Al Mamun, Dhaka University law Associate Prof Quazi Mahfujul Hoque Supan, Dhaka District and Sessions Court lawyer Tajriyaan Akram Hussain, and election analyst Md Abdul Alim.
