Recruitment process continues even after polls schedule announced

The recruitment process of officers and employees for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) continues despite the announcement of the schedule of the city polls which are to be held on 1 February.

Viva voce, promotion without scrutiny and transfers continue. However, there are restrictions against such procedures without the permission of the election commission since the announcement of the election schedule on 22 December.

Wishing not to be named, top city corporation officials told Prothom Alo that the viva voce for the recruitment of 104 engineers has been taken in haste.

After the announcement of the election schedule, exams were taken on 24 December for the recruitment of 27 assistant engineers and 77 deputy assistant engineers.

The selection committee finalised the candidates in a meeting on 8 January.

Another meeting was held on 12 January for the recruitment of 750 skilled and semi-skilled persons for the mosquito extermination and cleanliness drive. The names of the recruited persons were also finalised at the meeting.

Another meeting was held on 19 January to recruit 50 drivers for heavy vehicles.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, election commissioner Rafiqul Islam said activities related to recruitment cannot be conducted for a certain period.

Viva voce is a major part of recruitment and this cannot be done.

The permission of the election commission must be taken to carry out such steps ahead of the elections he said adding otherwise, it would be a violation of the electoral code of conduct.

Former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said only routine work can be done ahead of the election.

The city corporation cannot take decisions even for the recruitment of a Class 4 employee.

He said elected mayors and councilors will join after a few days so there is no justification for recruitment now. The appointment of the army chief was suspended in India ahead of the election, he added.

City corporation officials said the recruitment is being done hurriedly after the announcement of the election schedule although there was no activity in this regard before the schedule.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, several candidates alleged those who obtained less marks, were selected for viva voce. They believed that bribes played a significant role.

During the city corporation elections in 2015, the local government division issued guidelines.

As per the guidelines, recruitment, transfer and promotions at the city corporation will remain suspended during the city polls.

Former local government division secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan said the local government division earlier issued a guideline in this regard as the issue of recruitment is not included in the electoral code of conduct.

He said, “I feel recruitment activities cannot go on ahead of the elections.”

DSCC secretary Mostafa Kamal Majumdar said, “It is true we have completed some recruitment processes including viva voce after the announcement of the election schedule. But we have not announced the final result.”

After the announcement of the election schedule, it requires the permission of the election commission to transfer the city corporation officials.

According to the website of Dhaka city corporation, south city corporation chief accountant Khademul Karim Iqbal was relieved of his city corporation duties on 12 January.

Deputy chief accountant Md Alamgir is now in charge.

City corporation chief store and purchase officer Md Nuruzzaman was removed from his post on 13 January.

On 6 January, the city corporation chief executive officer’s personal assistant Moinuddin was transferred to the environment, climate and disaster management circle.

The permission of the election commission was not taken in this regard.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, DNCC mayor Sayeed Khokon said he is unaware of the viva voce examinations and the selection committee meeting.

This was not supposed to be happen, he said adding, you can talk to city corporation officials who know about the matter.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.