Staff Correspondent:

The government has appointed 50 new deputy commissioners (DCs) across the country as part of a major overhaul of the field administration ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 2026.

Officials say the reshuffle—conducted in four phases and prioritising officers who did not serve in the 2014, 2018 or 2024 elections — is aimed at ensuring a fair, neutral and controversy-free electoral process.

Significant changes are taking place at the Public Administration Ministry, the police, and the Election Commission (EC), with a focus on deploying officials who have no direct link to previous disputed elections.

Sources within the ministries say ensuring a neutral, credible and transparent election remains the government’s biggest challenge.

For that reason, only thoroughly vetted and controversy-free officials are being selected for crucial field-level roles.

50 DCS APPOINTED IN FOUR PHASES

The Public Administration Ministry has appointed DCs in 50 of the country’s 64 districts based on a “fit list” prepared since October. Appointments in the remaining 14 districts are pending.

An additional secretary in the ministry’s field administration wing said new faces are likely to be posted in the remaining districts as well.

In some cases, recently appointed DCs may also be replaced depending on instructions from the government’s higher authorities.

A senior source said, “Those who assisted the Awami League in the last three managed elections in even minor capacities are being filtered out. The government wants no controversial official involved in the upcoming polls.”

BREAKDOWN OF THE FOUR PHASES

First phase (8 November): 15 appointments

Nine new DCs were appointed, while six others were transferred.

NEW DCS:

Sandip Kumar Singh (Barguna), MD AMINUL ISLAM (SIRAJGANJ), Md Abdullah Al Mahmud (Magura), Abu Sayeed (Pirojpur), Miz Afroza Akhter (Satkhira), Golam Md Baten (Bagerhat), S M Jamshed Khondoker (Khulna), Md Iqbal Hossain (Kushtia), Dr Shamim Rahman (Bhola).

TRANSFERRED:

Ahmed Kamrul Hasan (Bagerhat–Noakhali), Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arefin (Kushtia–Habiganj), Md Azad Jahan (Bhola–Gazipur), Mohammad Shofiul Alam (Barguna–Dhaka), MUHAMMAD NAZRUL ISLAM (SIRAJGANJ–GAIBANDHA), Md Tawfiqur Rahman (Khulna–Bogura).

SECOND PHASE (9 NOVEMBER): 12 NEW DCS

Md Abdullah Al Masud (Jhenaidah), Mohammad Yusuf Ali (Jamalpur), Lutfun Nahar (Meherpur), Mohammad Aslam Molla (Kishoreganj), Md Momin Uddin (Jhalakathi), Md Arif-uz-Zaman (Gopalganj), Mohammad Kamal Hossain (Chuadanga), Kazi Md Sayemuzzaman (Panchagarh), Md Al Mamun Miah (Joypurhat), Md Saifur Rahman (Mymensingh), Nazmun Ara Sultana (Khagrachhari), Md Nazmul Islam Sarkar (Chandpur).

TRANSFERS:

Sharmin Akter Jahan (Narail–Brahmanbaria), Mohammad Abdul Salam (Meherpur–Narail).

THIRD PHASE (13 NOVEMBER): 14 NEW DCS

Shahed Mostafa (Pabna), Md Rezaul Karim (Dhaka), Mohammad Enamul Ahsan (Rangpur), Mohammad Ashek Hasan (Jashore), Syed Enamul Kabir (Meherpur), Muhammad Shafiqul Islam (Noakhali), Mohammad Alam Hossain (Gazipur), Mohammad Masudur Rahman Molla (Gaibandha), Annapurna Debnath (Kurigram), Jahangir Alam (Madaripur), Tawhiduzzaman Pavel (Moulvibazar), Md Khairul Alam Suman (Barishal), Taslima Akhter (Barguna), Najma Ashrafi (Rangamati).

FOURTH PHASE (13 NOVEMBER): 8 NEW DCS

S M Mehedi Hasan (Lakshmipur), Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi (Munshiganj), Md Saifur Rahman (Netrakona), Md Shahadat Hossain Masud (Chapainawabganj), Mohammad Saiful Islam (Naogaon), Md Anwar Sadat (Khagrachhari), Mu Reza Hasan (Cumilla), and Md Raihan Kabir (Narayanganj).

Narayanganj DC Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia was transferred to Chittagong.

MAJOR RESHUFFLE EXPECTED IN POLICE

After completing the DC appointments, the government is preparing a large-scale reshuffle of superintendents of police (SPs).

At least 15 districts are likely to get new SPs before the election schedule is announced, according to sources at the Home Ministry.

On 3 November, the ministry promoted 273 sub-inspectors to inspector — including 148 unarmed officers, 97 armed officers, and 28 city and traffic sergeants — many of whom may be posted as officers-in-charge (OCs).

The EC has also started shifting its field officials.

A circular issued on 8 November reassigned 23 officials, including 21 election officers and two upazila election officers.

GOVT AIMS TO DEPLOY ‘CONTROVERSY-FREE’ OFFICIALS

The government has repeatedly stated that officers who served in the 2014, 2018 or 2024 general elections will not be deployed this time.

Advisers to the interim administration have echoed this stance.

However, senior officials admit that avoiding all officers involved in previous elections will be difficult, especially within the police.

Relying solely on newly recruited personnel would also be impractical for a nationwide election.

Police morale has remained low following controversy surrounding their actions during the July–August mass movement.

Even so, they will play the central role in maintaining law and order during the polls.

On 12 October, Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said: “Efforts are underway to avoid assigning police officers who served in the 2014, 2018 or 2024 elections.”

A major test for field administration and police

DCs will serve as returning officers during the election, while SPs will be responsible for maintaining security across districts.

Ensuring a peaceful, inclusive and credible vote is expected to be one of the biggest challenges facing both the field administration and the law enforcement agencies in the coming months.