The Police Headquarters has directed all units to provide the names of inspectors eligible for appointment as officers-in-charge nationwide in anticipation of the upcoming national election slated for February 2026. The directive, issued at the beginning of this month, emphasizes the importance of deploying capable, unbiased, and professionally esteemed police station chiefs to ensure a just and tranquil electoral process.
The final methodology for compiling the list has not been clarified by the PHQ. This move coincides with the ongoing scrutiny of inspectors’ political affiliations and their involvement in the preceding three national elections.
A document dated November 16, obtained by The Daily Star, reveals the directive from the Personnel Management–2 wing, directed to the heads of CID, SB, and the DMP commissioner. AKM Awlad Hossain, the additional inspector general (admin) at PHQ, stated, “We are presently gathering a roster of skilled inspectors from the field… Once the list is received, specific criteria will be established, leading to the compilation of the final list for OC appointments.”
Sources indicate that inspectors with a clean track record, robust investigative skills, experience in public administration, positive ACRs, and no political ties will be given preference. CID chief Md Sibgat Ullah mentioned that they were tasked with submitting the names of highly proficient inspectors who exhibit professionalism, possess a commendable work history, excel in public administration, and aspire to secure the positions.
In July, PHQ issued a separate directive requiring a review from inspector to DIG level to assess any political inclinations among officers and evaluate their roles in the last three national elections. Additional IG Awlad confirmed that the assessment process is ongoing, without specifying a completion timeline.
There are a total of 530 police stations across eight ranges, 110 within eight metropolitan police units, and 24 railway police stations. The role of OCs in upholding law and order during elections is pivotal.
Rebuilding public trust remains a significant challenge for the police force, which faced a blow to morale during the widespread uprising that led to the ousting of the Awami League government. Furthermore, the force has been accused of displaying bias and engaging in electoral malpractice during the past three parliamentary elections. Over 200 officers who held key positions during those polls have either been placed on OSD status or forced into retirement in the last year, according to data from the home ministry.
Simultaneously, approximately 15,000 officers, predominantly constables, have been recruited, increasing the total personnel count to 1.93 lakh. In the 2024 election, around 146,000 members were deployed, compared to 140,000 in the 2018 polls.