EC seeks data on magistrates from last 3 parliamentary elections

The Election Commission (EC) has requested detailed information about magistrates who served alongside law enforcement during the national elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. The move comes following a formal appeal by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) for data to aid an ongoing investigation.

On Wednesday, a letter signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC, instructs all Deputy Commissioners, including the Divisional Commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, to provide information such as names, addresses, parental details, national ID and passport numbers, and mobile phone contacts of the magistrates deployed during the election periods.

Earlier, the PBI had sought similar information on election officials including Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, and Polling Officers who served during the last three parliamentary elections.

The EC said the data collection is crucial for the proper investigation of a case registered at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Once received, the information will be handed over to the PBI to facilitate a thorough and fair probe.