An investigation by the Election Commission (EC) has uncovered evidence of widespread bribery in the recruitment of outsourced workers, prompting the commission to initiate proceedings to dismiss Rajshahi Regional Election Officer Md Anisur Rahman.
Several other regional election officers across the country have also been accused of soliciting bribes during the recruitment process, according to EC sources.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told TIMES that the commission had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and would not spare anyone implicated.
He added that at least five officials had already lost their jobs following separate investigations into illegal financial transactions.
The Election Commission Secretariat issued directives to all regional election offices on 23 June regarding the procurement of outsourced personnel.
On the same day, the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), operating under the Ministry of Planning, approved the use of the offline Direct Procurement Method (DPM) instead of the standard e-GP system, establishing a strict deadline of 30 June to complete the process.
Following these instructions, the Rajshahi regional office initiated the recruitment of 143 personnel, including five drivers, 69 cleaners, and 69 security guards, for district and upazila election offices across the division. KSF Trade Limited was awarded the supply contract.
Under the EC’s explicit guidelines, existing outsourced staff were to be granted priority. Accordingly, an initial list of 137 incumbent candidates was forwarded to the contractor. The firm subsequently submitted a finalised list of 143 workers, who assumed their duties in phases throughout July.
However, the EC launched a formal probe after allegations surfaced that staff had been coerced into paying substantial bribes to retain their positions and secure inclusion on the final roster. Investigating committee sources confirmed that clear evidence of financial impropriety was uncovered against Anisur Rahman.
The committee has recommended the maximum penalty, and a formal letter has been dispatched to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting the necessary statutory measures to dismiss him from service.
Extortion risks across regional hubs
EC records indicate that 1,581 outsourced personnel are currently deployed across the Election Commission Secretariat and its field offices.
Of these, 1,089 are attached to the ten regional hubs: 105 in Dhaka, 115 in Chattogram, 143 in Rajshahi, 131 in Khulna, 85 in Sylhet, 124 in Mymensingh, 122 in Rangpur, 88 in Barishal, 64 in Faridpur, and 112 in Cumilla. Across these offices, the workforce comprises 45 drivers, 522 cleaners, and 522 security guards.
Outsourced contracts are typically subject to renewal every two years, pending finance ministry authorisation. While extensions are nominally contingent upon performance evaluations, officials conceded that staff anxiety over job security leaves workers vulnerable to extortion.
Senior EC officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that bribery allegations have also been levelled against regional election officers in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Barishal, and Faridpur.
In Faridpur, a specific complaint alleged that the regional election officer demanded Tk50,000 per recruit.
Speaking anonymously, an outsourced employee from Faridpur recounted that officials initially demanded Tk1 lakh to extend their employment, but following negotiations, the worker paid Tk50,000 to finalise the appointment.
Addressing the claims, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stressed that while the commission is committed to acting on reports of wrongdoing, formal complaints must contain actionable details specifying exact dates, transaction methods, participating individuals, and the monetary sums involved.
Ahmed noted that five officials had recently been terminated over illegal transactions related to National Identity (NID) card corrections.
Asked about the matter, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told TIMES that strict disciplinary measures remain in effect, warning that no one will be spared for irregularities or corruption.
