Complaints pile up against field officials, EC in action

Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, the Election Commission (EC) is facing a major challenge over the activities of its field-level officials. A significant portion of the complaints submitted to the Commission are now against its own officers.

On Thursday (5 February), Mohammad Saiful Islam, Director (Operations) of NID Wing and Member Secretary of the EC’s Central Coordination Committee, said that of the 344 complaints received so far, 143 were filed against various field-level officials.

According to EC data, in addition to the 143 complaints against officials, another 201 complaints have been lodged over violations of the electoral code of conduct and other irregularities.

In other words, nearly half of all complaints relate to the neutrality of officials or their performance of duties.

To maintain discipline in the electoral field, executive magistrates have taken a tough stance. Saiful Islam said that between 8 January and 4 February, a total of 212 cases were filed, resulting in fines amounting to Tk 2,298,750.

In addition, the Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committee imposed further fines of Tk 105,500.

The much-anticipated 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum are scheduled to be held on 12 February.

With less than a week remaining, the Commission has intensified monitoring and oversight at the field level.