The Supreme Court today restored the non-party caretaker government system in the constitution to ensure the holding of national elections in a free, fair, and credible manner in the country. The system will come into effect from the 14th parliamentary election, and the 13th national parliamentary election will be held under the current interim government.

The Appellate Division of the SC overturned its verdict, which had scrapped the system in May 2011.

The seven-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Rezaat Ahmed, delivered the verdict. The other members include Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Justice Md. Rezaul Haque, Justice SM Emdadul Haque, Justice AKM Asaduzzaman, and Justice Farah Mahbub.

Historically, Bangladesh held parliamentary elections under the caretaker government system in 1996, 2001, and 2008, in accordance with constitutional provisions. Additionally, the 1991 parliamentary elections were conducted under an interim government formed through an agreement among political parties, with then Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed serving as the head of that government. During that period, he resigned from his position as Chief Justice to serve as the interim President.