The story of caretaker governments in Bangladesh is a complex one, involving political strategies, constitutional amendments, and the pursuit of democratic governance. The non-partisan caretaker government system emerged informally in 1990 as a solution to ensure that a neutral body oversees power transitions and impartial general elections. Its formal establishment in 1996, via the 13th amendment to the Constitution, solidified its place in shaping the nation’s political scenario.
Fast forward to the present, and Bangladesh is entangled in a web of political unrest and demands for a caretaker government. The clashes between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and the opposition-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have escalated, resulting in fatalities, destruction of public property, strikes, and blockades. At the heart of the crisis is the opposition’s demand that Hasina step down and allow a neutral government to oversee the upcoming general elections in January.
The geopolitical implications of this unrest are felt throughout Asia and beyond. India and China, both of which wield significant influence in Bangladesh, have maintained the same stance on the country’s electoral situation. They believe the ruling government, led by Sheikh Hasina, is fully capable of holding free and fair elections without the installation of a CTG or intervention from the international community.
In contrast, the US had urged Hasina to transfer power to a caretaker government, but the ruling Awami League argues that the provision for a caretaker government no longer exists in the Bangladesh Constitution. Washington’s threat to cancel visas for Bangladeshi officials or politicians involved in undermining free and fair elections underscores the great importance they have placed on securing their influence in the country.
The caretaker government system, initially embraced with sincerity, faced a critical turning point in 2004 when the BNP, then in power, deliberately altered the constitution to manipulate the retirement age of Supreme Court judges. This move aimed to position a party-aligned figure, KM Hasan, as the head of the next caretaker government, compromising the system’s foundational principle of neutrality. The ensuing political uproar and protests from the Awami League led to Hasan’s reluctance to assume the role, exposing the fragility of the caretaker system.
The subsequent years witnessed a constitutional crisis, the imposition of a state of emergency in 2007, and the installation of an army-backed caretaker government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed. This tumultuous period paved the way for the return of the Awami League to power in 2008, marking the demise of the caretaker system in 2011.
In the midst of tensions between Bangladesh and the international community, Dhaka announced defiance of Washington’s demands by scheduling the General Election for January 7, with Sheikh Hasina remaining as PM. The opposition, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), advocates for Hasina’s resignation and the formation of a non-party interim government for the elections but that looks extremely unlikely at this point.
