Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Bangladesh government has sent 32 officials, including former deputy commissioners who served as returning officers during the controversial 2018 parliamentary elections, into compulsory retirement.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Monday, retiring the officials who were serving as officers on special duty (OSDs) at the rank of joint secretary.
The move follows the findings of the National Election Investigation Commission, formed by the interim government on June 26, 2025. The commission said the 2014, 2018 and 2024 national elections were organised at the highest levels of the state, with sections of the administration, police, Election Commission and intelligence agencies allegedly used to implement the plans.
The commission submitted its report to then chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on January 12 this year.
According to the report, around 80% of polling centres in the 2018 election witnessed overnight ballot stamping to ensure Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League’s victory. The commission said, “Within the administration, there was a form of dishonest competition to ensure the party’s win, resulting in voter turnout figures exceeding 100% in some centres.”
It also said control of the electoral process had shifted from the Election Commission to the administration during the election.