Staff Correspondent

No one in the administration will be transferred anywhere unless there are specific complaints with substantial proof against the official, said Election Commissioner Md Alamgir.

“We will not transfer anyone to anywhere for irrational reasons. However, the government will transfer someone if his behaviour and activities are proven to be partial or biased,” the election commissioner told reporters at the Election Commission secretariat at Agargaon in the capital on Wednesday.

For example, he stated that the commission has transferred a former deputy commissioner of Jamalpur as he spoke on behalf of a member of parliament at an event.

Regarding the demand by opposition parties to reshuffle the administration ahead of elections, he stated, "Transferring thousands of officials is a complex task that will create chaos in the administration."

He mentioned that when an officer is transferred, the government is obligated to cover their relocation expenses. "Transferring so many officers will, therefore, require a considerable amount of money," he added.

In response to a query about the allegations of not having a conducive environment for elections by opposition parties, EC Alamgir said, "I have been hearing this complaint since 1970 when I was a primary school student. I used to read the Ittefaq and found these types of complaints. I have heard such complaints in all the elections held in Bangladesh since then."

Since the announcement of the poll schedule, various political party leaders and activists have reportedly violated the election code of conduct.

Regarding the allegations, he said executive magistrates would be in the field from 28 November and take action against these violations.

He said, “Many people hold rallies during nomination form collection, which is also a violation of the code of conduct. Returning officers will oversee if the code of conduct is violated anywhere. No campaign or showdown with cars or motorcycles will be allowed anywhere.”

About an incident in Rajshahi where a candidate broke the electoral code of conduct, he said the returning officer submitted a report to the commission. Legal action will be taken against him after the investigation.