The Election Reform Commission is considering summoning three former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) over allegations of controversial elections conducted during their tenure.
The commission is also evaluating whether election-related crimes can be applied to these former officials and is planning to recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election Reform Commission, shared this plan with journalists following a meeting with media editors.
In response to questions about whether the commission would summon the former CECs to address the irregularities during their tenure, Dr Majumdar said: "We have discussed the matter and are reviewing it further. Election-related crimes might apply to them. We are also analyzing how to ensure such incidents do not recur.
"The media should investigate and report on what irregularities occurred during the last three elections and why they could not ensure free and fair polls. We are also gathering information and will use those lessons to draft our proposals," he added.
When asked whether the commission would summon the former CECs to understand why they failed to conduct fair elections, Dr Majumdar said: "Would they even show up? I don't think so. However, we are considering it."
Senior journalist Golam Mortoza, speaking after the meeting, emphasized the importance of holding past election officials accountable.
He said that to improve future elections, it is essential to learn from the past. The reform commission should sit with the former CECs to uncover the truth. Similarly, editors who justified past elections as free and fair should be asked why they supported such narratives.
Mortoza suggested questioning Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad about the voter-less election of 2014 and what directives the government had provided.
He also raised concerns about the 2018 elections conducted under Nurul Huda’s commission, which allowed "midnight voting." Additionally, he questioned the 2024 elections, where voter numbers reportedly increased under Kazi Habibul Awal's commission.
He stressed the need for penalties for electoral crimes and urged the commission to recommend measures to hold those responsible accountable for past offenses.
