Interim Government Finalises Appointment of SPs in 64 Districts through Lottery

The interim government has finalised the appointment of Superintendents of Police (SPs) for 64 districts to oversee duties during the forthcoming thirteenth national parliamentary election.

On Monday, the SPs were selected through a lottery held at the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna. Their postings will be issued soon, according to sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Police Headquarters.

Sources at the Police Headquarters said that the lottery at Jamuna was attended by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali. Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from the Chief Adviser’s Office were also present.

Speaking to the media today, Tuesday, Additional Inspector General (Administration) of Police Headquarters A K M Aulad Hossain said that the SPs for 64 districts were finalised through the lottery at Jamuna. Their postings will be made once the official government order is issued.

Reliable police sources stated that officers who had previously served as SPs were excluded from the list. Thereafter, a shortlist was prepared after scrutinising officers from the 25th, 27th and 28th batches of the police cadre. From that list, 64 officers were selected through the lottery.

Multiple sources from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters said that ahead of the national election and following the Chief Adviser’s directive, a list of eligible officers was handed over to the relevant committee to facilitate the reshuffling and posting of field-level officials. It was decided that district-wise postings would be finalised through the lottery. For this reason, the joining of newly appointed SPs in six districts last week was put on hold. The lottery-based decision will now be implemented.

On Saturday, advisers, senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and top police officials held a meeting regarding the reshuffling of Range DIGs, district SPs, and Officers-in-Charge (OCs) of police stations.

Sources further disclosed that after the SP postings, OC appointments will also be carried out through the lottery. A list of honest, neutral, and competent inspectors has already been collected from unit chiefs.

A senior official at the Police Headquarters told the media that the lottery method was introduced to avoid any controversy concerning election-related policing. This will ensure the appointment of impartial officers at the field level.

Khaborwala/TSN