The officials of field level administration are alert as well as cautious over accomplishing their promised duties related to upcoming 12th national elections accordingly. They’ve been working with officials of district and upazila levels attentively and carefully so that there’s no lacking in creating festive election-environment.
According to more than one field level administration officials, it’s very crucial duties to them to conduct the national elections fairly. The election commission has provided the field level officials with proper training on detailed matters related to elections. The officials have also been working alertly to keep the electoral environment friendly, prevent propaganda and chaos, and ensure electoral code of conduct is properly followed.
The cabinet division also gave three directives to the field administration. A letter from the cabinet division to different ministry, divisions, field level administration, police force has been issued where it has been said that its everyone’s national duty to conduct elections in free, fair and impartially.
The cabinet secretary (coordination and reform) Md Mahmudul Hossain told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “As the election schedule was announced, the officials will work according to the directives of EC. All kind of assistance will be provided from the ministry. We’ve been working continuously and in our meeting with the deputy commissioners, there are always some directives.”
In this meeting, it has been asked to be alert about the election, law and order situation, market monitoring, and food stock situation. All divisional commissioners have been instructed to be alert to avoid any kind of chaotic situation on any issue. District upazila officials at all levels have been given a message to be responsible and alert in their work.
A Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Division, on condition of remaining anonymous, told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “We should not make mistakes from this position and carry out the routine duties of the government carefully. In case of mistake, the EC will recommend withdrawal from office for any reason.”
A DC of Chittagong Division said there is no opportunity to go beyond the EC's guidelines regarding the election. As a Returning Officer I would not want my district to have any bad reputation. Similarly Assistant Returning Officers will also perform the best duty. We have no side.
A DC of Barisal region said, “The cabinet division gave direction on all matters in our monthly meeting. Now we are only following the directives and circulars issued by the EC.”
A UNO from Rajshahi Division told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "I havn’t seen any kind of hostile environment regarding the elections. What will happen in the future will depend on the situation."
When asked whether there is a challenge in the election or not, another UNO of the same division said there is always a challenge in the election, there will always be one. I want to do my duty properly.
Additional secretary of the cabinet division (District and Administration Division) Md. Amin ul Ahsan told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “A meeting was held with the divisional commissioners after the announcement of schedule. In these meetings, we have asked them to follow the directives given by the EC.”
He said preparatory work is going on for the appointment of magistrates to maintain law and order. There are scheduled meetings next month, and multiple meetings may be held if necessary.
The Cabinet division has given a set of instructions to the officials in the regular meeting of the field administration. The instructions have asked to work cautiously so that no one can raise questions about the neutrality of the officials.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on November 26 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)
