Neutrality of field officials for polls to be ensured, vows new public admin sec

Md Ehsanul Haque, the newly appointed senior secretary of the public administration ministry, has pledged to ensure the strict neutrality of field administration officials ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election.

Taking charge of his new role on a contractual basis today (12 october), the secretary, formerly of the Road Transport and Highways Division, addressed journalists at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

"The chief adviser has issued directives for a fair election. During the election period, the entire public administration will serve under the Election Commission," Ehsanul said.

"I believe our field administration officials, who are deployed in the field administration, will perform their duties with absolute neutrality. It is my responsibility to ensure that. I take this responsibility," he added.

Addressing widespread past controversies regarding the role of the administration in previous polls, the new secretary stated his belief that a neutral election is achievable if officials are given "protection" to work without fear.

"If we are given the opportunity, we can deliver a completely neutral election," he said. "My conviction is that if you [the public and media] stand with us, the officials will carry out their duties with total neutrality."

Ehsanul was unequivocal regarding action against non-compliance. He said, "If any officer fails to conduct a neutral election, we will certainly take immediate action against them. If any official is found to have a party affiliation, we will keep them out of election duty." 

He added a personal commitment: "I have never worked under party instructions, I don't now, and I won't in the future."