EC officials demand role as returning officers for 13th general elections
Currently, under existing law, deputy commissioners (DCs) serve as returning officers during national elections, while EC officials perform this role in by-elections.
Election Commission (EC) officials have demanded that the responsibility of Returning Officers in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election be entrusted to the commission's own staff instead of deputy commissioners (DCs).
At a press conference held today (16 September) at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, leaders of the Bangladesh Election Commission Officers' Association called for assigning EC Secretariat officials as Returning Officers in the upcoming election to ensure a free and fair 13th National Election.
"If the responsibility is given to the Commission's own officials, they will conduct the polls with sincerity and seriousness. The commission has a skilled workforce at the field level," said Mohammad Monir Hossain, convener of the association.
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Monir Hossain said the association had submitted recommendations to the Commission which the Commission has considered. "The Electoral Reform Commission has also made proposals to strengthen the electoral process," he added.
The association announced that an "Election Officials Conference-2025" will be held on 27 September at Nirbachan Bhaban, where all officials, along with the Election Commission, will participate. The conference will focus on ensuring a free, fair, and impartial election.
At the conference, the officials plan to press several demands, including swift enactment of the "Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance-2025" to establish the Election Commission Service, approval of a new organogram with provisions for new posts, upgrades, and logistics, and repeal of the National Identity Registration Act-2023 to restore national ID card activities under the EC.
Currently, under existing law, deputy commissioners (DCs) serve as returning officers during national elections, while EC officials perform this role in by-elections.
However, a section of EC officials argues that if the Commission's own staff take on this responsibility during parliamentary polls, it would strengthen impartiality and enhance transparency in the electoral process.
