The Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate the election-time caretaker government system has prompted rare unanimity across Bangladesh’s political spectrum, with major parties and civil society groups hailing the verdict as a long-awaited victory for democracy and voters’ rights.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the ruling “will mark the beginning of a new horizon,” expressing that only a neutral caretaker administration can ensure free and fair national elections.
BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi praised the judgment as “extremely positive,” saying it has “rejuvenated the lifeblood of democracy” in Bangladesh.
Rizvi accused former prime minister Sheikh Hasina of abolishing the caretaker system in 2011 to “perpetuate her power”, and celebrated that “the path to revitalizing democracy has once again become smooth” after the court’s decision.
The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party also “welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision”, describing it as a “historic milestone” towards free elections.
At an emergency press conference in Dhaka, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the prior verdict abolishing the caretaker system was “controversial and politically motivated,” alleging its removal had “enabled Sheikh Hasina to establish an authoritarian rule.”
He credited Jamaat’s late leader Ghulam Azam for first proposing the caretaker model, saying “his farsighted proposal has ultimately prevailed” with the judgment.
“Elections conducted without a caretaker government remain tainted chapters of our history. This verdict puts democracy back on its rightful track,” Zubair added.
Jamaat leaders pledged to resist any attempt at a staged election, vowing with the people to prevent a repeat of past “engineered” polls.
There were no separate formal statement from the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) was reported by press time, but the party has consistently advocated for restoring a neutral polls-time government.
Several other groups applauded the judgment.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), an Islamist party outside the BNP-led alliance, called the verdict “a milestone against constitutional anarchy.”
Left-leaning political figures also indicated support.
Leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance have, in the past, maintained that a neutral caretaker government is necessary for an inclusive election.
On verdict day, they too lauded the restoration of the 13th Amendment provisions as a step to ensure all parties can participate in a credible vote.
Many in civil society noted that all major opposition and independent parties appear united in welcoming the court’s move to reinstate a non-partisan election-time government.
The Awami League, which had scrapped the caretaker provision in 2011, was notably quiet on the judgment. As of Thursday night, the Awami League had not issued any formal statement reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Interim government officials, however, acknowledged the verdict.
Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman expressed satisfaction with the outcome, explaining that the Appellate Division gave the ruling “prospective effect,” meaning it will apply after the upcoming election.
“As a result of this judgment, the caretaker government system has been reinstated,” Asaduzzaman said, noting the 13th Amendment’s neutral-election provisions are now declared constitutional.
Civil society, lawyers and others react
Prominent lawyers and petitioners involved in the case celebrated the ruling as a long-fought victory.
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, who argued for the BNP, said the judgment “automatically revived” the caretaker system in the Constitution, restoring “the people’s right to vote” that had been “snatched away in 2011.”
Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir, representing Jamaat-e-Islami, likewise praised the unanimous judgment, saying that the caretaker provisions were “automatically reinstated” into the Constitution and will ensure future elections are managed neutrally.
Leading civil society voices who had petitioned for the caretaker system’s return also commended the court.
Badiul Alam Majumdar – secretary of Shujan (Citizens for Good Governance) and one of the review petitioners – said the verdict righted a historic wrong.
“This ruling opened an important door to returning to a democratic system,” he commented, calling it a “seminal judgment” that has excited and satisfied the public.