Serious allegations of irregularities have surfaced regarding the appointment of presiding, assistant presiding, and polling officers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election in the Pirgacha Upazila of Rangpur. Local reports suggest that experienced and qualified officials were sidelined in favor of non-MPO teachers, project-based employees, and former leaders of the Awami League and Chhatra League.
With the election scheduled for Thursday, February 12, the appointments have sparked widespread controversy.
Key Allegations:
Sidelining First-Class Officials: Despite having nearly 300 first-class officers (Grades 6 to 9) available, only 90 were appointed as Presiding Officers. The remaining slots were allegedly filled by 15 second-class and project-based officials.
Political Appointments: Notable appointments include Alamgir Hossain, former President of the Annadanagar Union Chhatra League, as a Presiding Officer. Additionally, former Chhatra League leader Habibur Rahman and several local Awami League leaders (Selim Reza, Jesmin Begum, and Lutfar Rahman) have been assigned as polling officers.
Questionable Credentials: Subhash Chandra, an acting headmaster currently under investigation for allegedly using a forged certificate to secure his job, has been appointed as an Assistant Presiding Officer.
Clerical Errors and Misrepresentation: Several individuals, including a bank computer operator and an office assistant (Faruk Ahmed), were reportedly listed as “Assistant Teachers” to justify their appointments as polling officers.
Systematic Corruption and Syndicate Influence
The victims and local observers have pointed toward a “syndicate” allegedly led by Farukuzzaman Dakua, an Academic Supervisor at the Secondary Education Office, who has held his position in Pirgacha for an extended period.
Furthermore, Upazila Election Officer Rezaul Karim faces accusations of:
Operating through middle-men and being inaccessible to the public.
Refusing to communicate with local media or answer emergency calls.
Facilitating a “bribery trade” where teachers are forced to pay between 500 to 2,000 BDT to either have their names added or removed from the duty list.
Official Responses
When questioned, Election Officer Rezaul Karim deflected responsibility, stating, “I am merely carrying out the orders of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). The Secondary and Primary Education Offices are responsible for the inclusion of trainee or ill teachers.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Debasish Basak commented, “If there are errors or discrepancies, they will be corrected upon receiving specific formal complaints.”