Asif Nazrul calls on govt officials to fulfil their duties as public servants

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has called on government officials to fulfil their duties as public servants, saying various misdeeds, including three rigged elections, had taken place with the help of the administration.

He mentioned on Sunday that their responsibility to the people must not be forgotten, while addressing deputy commissioners (DCs) as a special guest at a dinner event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Recalling past elections, Asif Nazrul said: “I was a magistrate of the ninth BCS batch. I worked at the field level during the 1991 elections, which were among the fairest in Bangladesh’s history. However, subsequent elections turned into mockeries.”

“Our administration conducted three unbelievably rigged elections. In one instance, 153 seats were elected even before the vote. Another time, votes were cast the night before the election,” he added.

“And on one occasion, they conducted the election themselves. These incidents are unprecedented in history and amounted to a betrayal of democracy,” he further added.

Reflecting on the mass uprising and student sacrifices, the adviser said: “We have seen some video footage of the recent mass uprising, but many more horrifying events took place that remain unknown. Students sacrificed their lives to restore democracy. We must not forget their sacrifices.”

“You have seen a recorded video message from Asif, where he said at the end—If we die, do not stop the movement. To honour these students' sacrifices, we must act. This is a great lesson for us,” he added.

Calling on deputy commissioners to uphold their responsibilities, he said: “As DCs, you hold significant responsibilities. According to the constitution, you are public servants. However, many government officials often see themselves as the people’s masters. This mindset must change.”

The adviser said: “Several reform commissions have been formed under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Yunus. Several proposals have been made by the reform commissions.”

He added: “Sir (Yunus) always says that we must work towards a fair governance system out of respect for the students’ sacrifices. We must bring reforms for the students and the country. Changes are necessary, and you must be part of this transformation.”

In his speech, Asif Nazrul called on the administration to ensure accountability to the people, facilitate fair elections, and properly honour the sacrifices of those who died in mass uprisings.

He said: “You must prioritize accountability to the people, fair elections, and the dignity of student sacrifices. You are paid by the public, so your primary duty is to serve them. By fulfilling your responsibilities as public servants, you will contribute to a proper democratic process in the future.”