The government has sent 32 former Deputy Commissioners (DCs), who served as Returning Officers during the 11th National Parliamentary Election held under the Awami League government in 2018, into compulsory retirement.

Separate gazette notifications regarding this decision were issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday (July 27).

According to the notifications, they have been sent into retirement from government service in the public interest, exercising the power conferred by Section 45 of the Public Service Act, 2018.

As per the rules, they will receive all retirement benefits, and the order will take effect immediately.

Information from the Ministry of Public Administration states that the officials sent into retirement were currently serving as Officers on Special Duty (OSD), and each of them has completed 25 years of service.

The government decided to retire them, considering it necessary in the public interest.

The 32 officials sent into retirement served as Returning Officers in their respective districts during that period: S. M. Abdul Kader of Rajshahi, Md. Ali Akbar of Magura, Mahmudul Kabir Murad of Habiganj, S. M. Ferdous of Manikganj, Md. Sarwar Murshed Chowdhury of Kishoreganj, Syeda Farhana Kawnine of Narsingdi, Mohammad Helal Hossain of Khulna, Anar Kali Mahbub of Sherpur, Mosammat Sultana Parvin of Kurigram, Nazia Shirin of Nilphamari, Md. Motiul Islam Chowdhury of Patuakhali, Gopal Chandra Das of Chuadanga, Mohammad Masud Alam Siddique of Bhola, S. M. Ajior Rahman of Barisal, Md. Waheduzzaman of Feni, Md. Shahedul Islam of Khagrachhari, Saroj Kumar Nath of Jhenaidah, Md. Jasim Uddin of Pabna, Mohammad Abdul Ahad of Sunamganj, Md. Kamal Hossain of Cox's Bazar, A. K. M. Mamunur Rashid of Rangamati, Anjan Chandra Pal of Lakshmipur, Mohammad Elias Hossain of Chattogram, Md. Mizanur Rahman of Naogaon, A. Z. M. Nurul Haq of Chapainawabganj, Kazi Abu Taher of Shariatpur, Md. Shahriar of Natore, Md. Daudul Islam of Bandarban, Mainul Islam of Netrokona, Md. Aslam Hossain of Kushtia, Md. Abul Fazal Mir of Cumilla, and Md. Mazedur Rahman Khan of Chandpur.

According to government sources, these officials performed duties as Returning Officers in their respective districts during the 11th National Parliamentary Election on December 30, 2018. This action has been taken against them as part of administrative reforms and the review of various issues related to that election.

Notably, the 11th National Parliamentary Election held on December 30, 2018, sparked widespread controversy.

Allegations of stuffing ballot boxes on the night prior to the election, irregularities in voting, exerting pressure on opposition candidates and workers, and preventing voters from casting their votes freely were raised by various domestic and foreign observers and media outlets.

However, the Election Commission had denied those allegations at the time. In that election, the Awami League-led Grand Alliance won 288 seats, while the main opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front secured 7 seats.

The credibility of that election has long remained a subject of discussion in the country's political arena.