The government has sent 32 officials, including former deputy commissioners (DCs) who served as returning officers during the controversial 2018 parliamentary elections held during the Awami League tenure, into compulsory retirement.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Monday, sending the officials, who were serving as officers on special duty (OSDs) at the rank of joint secretary, into retirement, UNB reports.
According to an enquiry commission constituted by the then interim government on June 26, 2025, the three national elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024 were orchestrated at the highest levels of the state, with segments of the administration, police, Election Commission, and intelligence agencies mobilised to implement the plans.
The National Election Investigation Commission submitted its report to then Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on January 12 this year.
According the commission, the 2018 polls saw overnight ballot stamping in 80 percent of voting centres to secure the Awami League’s victory.
“Within the administration, there was a form of dishonest competition to ensure the party’s win, resulting in voter turnout figures exceeding 100 percent in some centres,” it had said.
The commission also noted that during those elections, control of the electoral process moved away from the EC to the administration.