Circumstances Triggering Election Suspension or Cancellation

When Elections Can Be Suspended or Cancelled in Bangladesh

While rare, the suspension or cancellation of elections is not entirely unprecedented in Bangladesh’s electoral history. The Election Commission (EC) has, on several occasions, postponed or annulled voting at specific centres or entire constituencies when faced with evidence of violence, manipulation, intimidation, or serious doubts over transparency.

Legal Basis

The authority to halt or cancel voting is enshrined in Section 91(a) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972. Introduced shortly after Bangladesh’s independence, the RPO has undergone multiple amendments, the most recent of which was in 2025.

A notable 2023 amendment empowered the EC to annul voting in a constituency if substantial evidence of malpractice, rigging, or disruption was found, though its ability to cancel elections for an entire constituency was limited. This followed the 2022 Gaibandha-5 by-election controversy, where the commission annulled the entire by-election amid allegations of irregularities, sparking political debate. Subsequent legal changes curtailed the scope for cancelling an entire constituency’s vote.

The 2025 amendment, however, expanded the EC’s powers once more, allowing it to suspend or cancel elections at any stage—from the announcement of the schedule to the publication of results, even on polling day itself. Election experts note that, if significant irregularities or violence emerge before campaigning begins, the commission may preemptively suspend elections.

Situations Leading to Suspension or Cancellation

Suspension vs Cancellation

Temporary disruptions—such as scuffles or isolated explosions outside a polling centre—may lead to brief suspension of voting if ballots remain secure. Voting resumes once normalcy is restored. Conversely, confirmed evidence of severe malpractice can lead to the complete cancellation of polling at a centre or across an entire constituency, followed by the scheduling of a re-election.

In conclusion, the EC possesses clear legal authority to suspend or cancel elections to safeguard a fair and credible electoral process. The application of these powers depends on the severity of the situation and the reliability of supporting evidence.