Election 2026: New DCs to take key administrative roles
Staff Reporter :
The government is set to appoint new deputy commissioners (DCs) in all districts as part of preparations to ensure a credible national election scheduled for February 2026.
Sources at the Ministry of Public Administration said the appointments are expected to be finalised within September. Officials noted that, unlike previous years, greater caution is being exercised to avoid appointing DCs who benefited from political affiliations during the Awami League’s tenure.
As in past elections, the appointed DCs are expected to serve as returning officers. The ministry has nearly finalised a ‘fit list’ of eligible officers, which excludes any controversial officials or those with known political links. Administrative action will be taken against any officer found to have secured a posting through deception or by concealing information.
On 18 August, Md Sarwar Alam, an executive magistrate known for strict action against food adulteration and other irregularities, was appointed DC of Sylhet. The move followed allegations of large-scale stone looting from Bholaganj, Jaflong, and surrounding areas.
The ministry began preparing the fit list on 11 January this year. The selection process has included six phases of interviews involving 269 deputy secretaries from the 25th and 27th batches of the BCS Administration Cadre.
Over 50 officers have been included in the list so far, with viva voce interviews for the 28th batch currently underway.
Currently, 26 officers of the 24th batch, 25 officers of the 25th batch, and 12 officers of the 27th batch serve as DCs. Despite the promotion of 21 officers of the 24th batch to joint secretary on 20 March, they have not yet been withdrawn from field administration.
The previous DC appointments, made on 8 September 2023 in 61 districts, sparked controversy and internal unrest, with many officers claiming they had been unfairly overlooked.
Md Erfanul Haque, Additional Secretary (Appointments, Promotions & Transfers) of the Ministry of Public Administration, said, “The DC appointment process is underway. The Public Administration Committee will decide the timeline, but we expect the appointments to be made soon.”
Senior Secretary Dr Mokhles-ur Rahman added, “DCs will be appointed from the fit list. Qualified and competent officers will be placed ahead of the election to ensure credibility.”
Former secretary and administrative expert AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar noted, “Interim governments in 1991, 1996, and 2001 did not face such disorder. Current administrative weaknesses must be addressed quickly.
Governance is impossible without an honest, skilled, and professional bureaucracy. There is still time to restore administration by appointing capable officers in key positions.”
A ‘Public Administration Committee’ comprising four advisers, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Secretary of Public Administration has been formed to guide appointments, transfers, and disciplinary matters for divisional commissioners, DCs, joint secretaries, and higher positions. This committee makes the final decisions on DC appointments.
In February, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin instructed all DCs to enforce the full extent of the law in their roles as returning officers for the upcoming election.
The interim government has also taken action against officials involved in previous elections deemed controversial. This year, 21 former DCs were sent into compulsory retirement for their roles as returning officers in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, while 43 others were placed on officers on special duty (OSD). Officers with less than 25 years of service were made OSD, while those with more than 25 years were retired.