Bangladesh Supreme Court restores non-partisan caretaker govt system for election oversight

The Hindu
The Hindu
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Bangladesh's Supreme Court reinstated the non-partisan caretaker government system for election oversight, but it won't apply to the upcoming February elections.
Bangladesh Supreme Court restores non-partisan caretaker govt system for election oversight
A What happened
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled on November 20, 2025, to restore the non-partisan caretaker government system, which was originally introduced in 1996. This decision overturns a 2011 ruling that had annulled the system during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, the court specified that this ruling will not apply to the upcoming general elections set for February 2026, which will be managed by the existing interim government. The caretaker system was designed to ensure fair elections, having previously overseen successful transitions of power. The decision comes after years of political turmoil and allegations of election manipulation under Hasina's government, which faced significant opposition from rival parties. The court's ruling is seen as a critical step towards restoring electoral integrity in Bangladesh.

Key insights

  • 1

    Caretaker system reactivated

    The Supreme Court revived the caretaker government system for future elections.

  • 2

    Upcoming elections unaffected

    The ruling will not apply to the February 2026 general elections.

  • 3

    Political context

    The decision follows years of political unrest and allegations of election fraud.

Takeaways

The restoration of the caretaker government system is a significant development in Bangladesh's political landscape, aiming to enhance electoral fairness, although it will not impact the immediate upcoming elections.

Topics

Elections Society