EC asks for transfer of UNOs for smooth conduct of polls

Election Commission

Dhaka, Dec 01 - The Election Commission has asked the Ministry of Public Administration to transfer all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) across the country in phases to conduct the 12th parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7 in a fair manner.

In this case, first of all the UNOs who have been working in their respective upazilas for more than one year should be prioritised for transfer.

The commission wrote to the senior secretary of the ministry to transfer all UNOs in phases, according to a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Md Mizanur Rahman.

The proposal for transfer of the first phase should be sent to the Election Commission by December 5, 2023, according to the letter.

The decision was taken to hold the 12th national election in a free and fair manner, reads the letter.

There are 495 upazilas in Bangladesh.

Earlier, the EC asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to transfer all officers-in-charge (OC) of police stations across the country in phases citing the same reason.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 12th general election ended on November 30.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has started scrutinising the papers of the candidates who submitted their nominations for the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections.

A total of 2,713 candidates submitted nomination papers to contest the parliamentary election.-UNB