SPs and OCs to be Transferred via Lottery, Says Home Affairs Adviser

Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, all district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Officers-in-Charge (OCs) will be transferred through a lottery system. To strengthen law and order during the election, plans are underway to provide body cameras at each of the country’s 47,000 polling stations. This was announced by Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury during a press briefing following a meeting at the Home Ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Wednesday.

The adviser stated that the Chief Adviser, in his address to the nation, had announced the start of election preparations. “As part of that process, we held discussions today. We talked about the logistical support needed for the election. In any national election, DCs, SPs, UNOs, and OCs play crucial roles,” he said. He added that candidates often prefer to have their favored DCs, SPs, or OCs stationed in their constituencies during elections. “This time, we have decided to conduct a lottery in the presence of the media to assign these positions,” he explained.

He further elaborated that SPs and OCs, regardless of their current postings, will be transferred via lottery before the election. The adviser also discussed the number of forces required to manage the election nationwide and the decision to equip personnel with body cameras. “We are working on providing body cameras to everyone. Discussions are ongoing about who will have the cameras and how they will be used,” he said. To ensure presiding officers stay at polling stations rather than private residences, arrangements will be made, with Ansar and police personnel stationed alongside them. Regarding body cameras, he clarified, “We aim to provide one body camera for each of the 47,000 polling stations, which will be assigned to senior police officers on duty.” The Home Affairs Adviser also mentioned that training will be provided to all forces. “We have instructed the Election Commission to train polling officers and presiding officers. After training our forces, we will conduct rehearsals to ensure the election is conducted smoothly,” he said. He noted that approximately 800,000 law enforcement personnel, including Ansar and the military, will be deployed for the election, and all will receive training. Regarding the transfer of 76 officials, he described it as a routine matter that will continue as usual.