Jamaat-e-Islami calls for transfer of DCs, SPs and OCs through lottery

Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the Election Commission (EC) to transfer all district commissioners (DC), superintendents of police (SP), and officers-in-charge (OC) through a lottery system ahead of the 13th national election.

The party argued that once the election schedule is announced, full administrative authority shifts to the EC, and a lottery-based reshuffle would ensure neutrality and leave “no room for questions.”

Jamaat Secretary General Prof. Mia Golam Parwar made the proposal during the EC’s dialogue with political parties at the commission headquarters in Agargaon on Wednesday (November 19).

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, election commissioners and senior EC officials were present in the meeting.

Parwar said the recent sudden transfers of DCs and SPs raised concerns about a “possible design or intention.” He noted that in past elections, all DCs and SPs were reshuffled overnight after the schedule was announced, which had built public confidence.

He also raised concerns over holding the national election and the July Charter referendum on the same day, saying voters may struggle to understand the proposed state-structure reforms.

Jamaat earlier recommended holding the referendum before the election.

Parwar requested a review of the draft code of conduct provision limiting the use of loudspeakers to three per constituency, saying large constituencies need more flexibility for campaigning. He also complained about unclear photographs in the printed voter list, which he said could cause identification problems.

Jamaat further demanded deployment of at least five army personnel at every polling centre to ensure voter confidence and prevent violence, adding that one soldier per centre would be insufficient.

He said they expect the EC to discuss the deployment plan with the armed forces.

Porwar concluded that these steps are necessary to ensure a neutral and trustworthy election.