Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Mokhlesur Rahman, has said that deputy commissioners (DCs) promoted to the rank of joint secretary will be brought back to the ministry ahead of the national election. He added that new DCs will be appointed to replace them.
“Field administration refers to both civil and police officials,” he said while responding to reporters after a meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
He said preparations were being made ahead of the election. “If the groundwork is solid, election day will go smoothly without problems,” he added.
Regarding the withdrawal of DCs, he said it was being done in response to complaints. “We already have a fit list. Some new DCs have been appointed, and more will follow,” he said.
When asked about the Home Ministry’s announcement of appointing Superintendents of Police (SPs) through lottery for transparency, Mokhlesur said: “As per practice, once the schedule is announced, all of us come under the Election Commission. Then, the commission will handle these transfers.”
He further explained that Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) are transferred by divisional commissioners. “During elections, a large-scale reshuffle takes place. That will be done by the Election Commission. No one will have a say in it; no lobbying will work. Officials must go wherever they are posted,” he said.
The secretary also outlined the process for appointing DCs: “UNOs serve as assistant returning officers, followed by DCs. For appointing DCs, we have a seven-member committee on public administration matters, along with a five-member DC selection committee. A fit list is prepared and placed before the committee. From there, postings are finalized, approved by the Chief Adviser, and then forwarded to the ministry for gazette notification. It is not solely the work of the Ministry of Public Administration.”
