United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commissioner has started its briefing on the electoral management affairs for the deputy commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and other field-level high officials ahead of the upcoming national election and the referendum scheduled for February 12. The briefing started at 10:00am at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. Read more: EC to send SMS urging govt officials to register for postal voting Alongside the DCs and SPs, Divisional Commissioners, Metropolitan Police Commissioners, Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) of police, Regional Election Officers and District Election Officers are attending the briefing. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir is present in the event as the chief guest, while four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Saker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah are special guests. The CEC and the four election commissioners are giving necessary guidelines and instructions about the electoral management in a bid to conduct the February-12 elections in free, fair and festive manners. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed is presiding over the event. Read more: Tarique Rahman to become voter on Dec 27: Salahuddin

The government has appointed Superintendents of Police (SPs) for 64 districts across the country through a lottery system ahead of the national election slated for the first half of February next year.   According to a gazette notification, signed by Md Mahbubur Rahman, deputy secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, was issued on Wednesday (November 26). Earlier in the day, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the SPs have been appointed through the lottery after categorising the districts into three considering the law-and-order issue.   Talking to reporters after a review meeting of the Annual Development Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture at Secretariat, he claimed that no meritorious officers have been left out during the SP postings. Bangladesh sees crime spike ahead of polls; police stress preparedness Responding to a question on the lottery system, the adviser said, “Yes, the news is correct. The lottery was conducted exactly as planned. We established three categories—A, B, and C—not based on district size but on the law and order situation.” After categorising districts, the adviser said, officers were assigned accordingly. “Out of a total of 64 SPs, 18 were reassigned, while others remained unchanged. The lottery then decided which officer would go to which district, based on luck,” he asserted. Asked if the same system would apply to officer-in-charge postings, he replied saying ‘Insha’Allah,’ emphasizing that primarily the most capable officers were selected. New police commissioner for Gazipur Met Police; new SPs in 6 districts