The Election Commission is weighing up appointing its own officials as returning officers, albeit in limited numbers, alongside deputy commissioners for the 13th parliamentary polls.
The proposed departure from the long-standing practice divides the commission.
According to sources, the chief election commissioner and one other commissioner are in favour of appointing EC officers to the role. However, two commissioners believe that the DCs are more suitable for the responsibility due to their field coordination skills and influence.
Additionally, to avoid complications during the election, these commissioners feel that DCs should be given priority. Still, regional election officers and some senior district election officers could be entrusted with the role.
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam told TIMES of Bangladesh, “No final decision has been made yet. There is no issue with appointing EC officers as returning officers. However, what will happen if issues arise during the election?”
He further elaborated on the advantages of appointing DCs, noting their inherent administrative powers and ability to coordinate with stakeholders at the district level. They are also well-trained, which EC officers may not be, he added. If coordination issues arise, he questioned, what will be the outcome?
Anwarul Islam also mentioned that the formation of the Election Commission Service and the creation of a cadre structure would enhance the skills and coordination capabilities of EC officers, allowing them to take on such responsibilities more effectively in the future.
Previously, while EC officers served as returning officers for by-elections, they were not given such responsibility during general elections. The returning officer is the most crucial position at the field level during elections. They supervise the entire voting process, including the scrutiny of nomination papers, determination of validity, and symbol allocation. It is the tradition for DCs to be appointed as returning officers for every national election.
However, several political parties have long claimed that returning officers should be appointed from among the EC’s own officers, citing bias in appointments of DCs.
This year, parties like BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and others have renewed their calls for this change. Additionally, the Election Reforms Commission has recommended prioritising EC officers for the role.
Several EC officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have said the commission has enough experienced officers to perform the role of returning officer. They argue that EC officers have successfully managed local government elections and by-elections.
They also highlight that organising local elections is more challenging than national elections, given the larger number of polling stations and candidates involved. If EC officers can manage local elections, they argue, national elections should not be a problem.
Moreover, even if DCs are appointed, it is still EC officers who handle the overall operations. Despite this, DCs are being prioritised for the returning officer role, they said.
Officials also indicated that the commission might appoint its 10 regional election officers and 19 senior district election officers as returning officers.
Monir Hossain, convener of the Bangladesh Election Commission Officers’ Association, said, “The EC has sufficient officers to serve as returning officers for all 300 constituencies. We have requested that all returning officers be appointed from the EC’s own officers. The chief election commissioner has given us assurances. If EC officers are not appointed to this role, the association will announce a course of action.”
According to section 7 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, the commission may appoint a returning officer for each constituency, along with the necessary assistant returning officers.
Under the EC’s supervision, direction, and control, the returning officer will oversee all election-related activities in the district and carry out other duties as assigned by the Commission. The law does not specifically state that returning officers must be DCs, meaning the EC has the authority to appoint any qualified individual to this position.
