Public Trust in the Independence of the Bangladesh Election Commission: Evidence from Four National Elections (2008-2024)

Abstract

This study investigates the trends of public trust in the independence and impartiality of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) by examining four national parliamentary elections held between 2008 and 2024. Employing a qualitative research approach, this article synthesizes empirical survey findings, institutional assessments, election observer reports and pertinent secondary sources to evaluate how public perceptions of electoral integrity evolved in response to political, legal and institutional developments. This analysis is grounded in the broader relationship between free, fair, and credible elections and democratic governance in Bangladesh. The findings indicate that public trust in the Election Commission fluctuated significantly across the electoral cycles. Elections conducted under the non-party caretaker government system were widely perceived as comparatively free, competitive, and credible, contributing to higher citizen trust in the EC’s independence. In contrast, elections held under the incumbent party governments in 2014, 2018 and 2024 were marked by opposition boycotts, limited electoral competition, allegations of administrative bias, and inconsistent enforcement of electoral rules, which collectively weakened public trust and raised concerns about legitimacy. This study further identifies key structural and contextual factors influencing trust, including the constitutional and legal framework governing elections, the appointment process and autonomy of election commissioners, enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, effectiveness of complaint and appeal mechanisms, and the roles played by political parties, civil society, the media, and state institutions. Persistent political polarization, limited cooperation among stakeholders, and constraints on the EC’s legal and financial autonomy have posed significant challenges to maintaining impartiality in electoral governance. Overall, this article claims that restoring public trust in Bangladesh’s electoral process requires strengthening the institutional independence of the Election Commission, ensuring transparent and accountable governance during elections, and implementing durable reforms that support free, fair and credible elections as the foundation for democratic stability.