Dhaka, Feb 20 (V7N) – The government has sent 22 Deputy Commissioners (DCs), who served as returning officers during the 2014 and 2018 elections, to compulsory retirement, sources from the Ministry of Public Administration revealed on Thursday.

However, the names of the officers affected by this decision have not yet been disclosed.

Targeting Controversial Election Officials

At a press briefing at the Secretariat, Public Administration Secretary Mokhles Ur Rahman confirmed that the government has decided to take action against officials responsible for overseeing elections during the tenure of the Awami League government.

"None of these officers objected to the controversial elections at the time," Mokhles Ur Rahman stated.

  • Officials with less than 25 years of service are being made Officers on Special Duty (OSDs).
  • Officials with more than 25 years of service are being sent to compulsory retirement.

Earlier Actions Against Returning Officers

This move follows Wednesday’s (February 19) decision, where 33 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) who served as returning officers during the 2018 elections were also made OSDs. These officers had been working as joint secretaries in various ministries and departments. Prior to this, 12 officers had already been placed on the OSD list for similar reasons.

Background: Controversies Over the 2014 & 2018 Elections

Both the 2014 and 2018 elections, conducted under the Awami League government, were highly controversial:

  • 2014 Election:

    • 154 candidates were elected unopposed.
    • Major opposition parties, including BNP, boycotted the election.
    • The Awami League secured 234 seats.

  • 2018 Election:

    • Though all parties participated, the election was marred by allegations of ballot box stuffing, fake voting, polling center takeovers, and voter obstruction.
    • Many opposition leaders accused the ruling party of manipulating results.
    • The Awami League won 258 seats.

What’s Next?

The mass removal of election officials signals a significant step by the current administration to hold officials accountable for their roles in controversial elections. However, it remains to be seen whether further investigations will be launched into election irregularities from those years.

END/MSS/AJ