Bangladesh to Reinstate Military Role in Upcoming Election

For the first time in 16 years, Bangladesh’s armed forces are poised to play a significant role in the country’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. This marks a notable shift after a period during which the ruling Awami League conducted three controversial elections while minimizing the military’s influence.

Historically, the government removed the armed forces from the legal definition of “law enforcement agencies” under the 1972 Representation of the People Order. This change stripped soldiers of the authority to arrest electoral offenders without warrants, a power police and paramilitary forces retained. As a result, soldiers had less authority than even members of the Ansar during elections.

This legal marginalization extended to local government elections as well. The military was neither given judicial powers under the Criminal Procedure Code nor effectively deployed under the Armed Forces in Aid to Civil Power provisions. Analysts argue that this legal sidelining facilitated increased opportunities for vote rigging and manipulation.

Election experts and former officials agree that deploying the military effectively in past elections helped ensure fairness. However, despite requests from the Election Commission, such as for the 2011 Narayanganj city election, the government often delayed or refused deployment, citing no necessity. When troops were mobilized, as in the 2014 general election, they remained confined to cantonments and did not participate actively in election processes.

This situation is now set to change. The Election Reform Commission has recommended that the armed forces be officially reinstated as part of the legal definition of law enforcement under the Representation of the People Order. The Election Commission has submitted a proposal to the Cabinet to amend the law accordingly. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has confirmed that the military is prepared to support the Election Commission to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election, pending formal instructions.