Dhaka: Allegations of politicization and nepotism have surfaced over the recruitment of supervisors and data collectors for the Family Card census in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.
According to United News of Bangladesh, locals alleged that the wife of a local BNP leader, the upazila Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president, and relatives of BNP leaders and activists were given preference despite assurances that recruitment would be based on merit. The issue has also drawn criticism on social media.
The Mithapukur Upazila Social Services Office issued a notice on July 25 for recruiting supervisors and data collectors in 17 unions. A total of 670 people applied for supervisor posts and around 3,243 for data collector positions. The selection was supposed to be based on practical skills, GPA, conduct, and viva performance. The final results, published on Aug. 10, selected 214 data collectors and 21 supervisors.
An investigation found that Tajmun Nahar, wife of Mithapukur upazila BNP Organizing Secretary Mojahidul Islam, was selected as supervisor in Ranipukur Union. Upazila JCD President Md Mahmudul Hasan was selected in Durgapur Union, while Md Miraj Ahmed, cousin of upazila BNP President Golam Rabbani, was selected in Bara Hazratpur Union.
Other supervisors included journalist Bablur Rahman Bari in Kafrikhal Union; Rezwana Sharmin Prapti, daughter of Pairaband Union BNP President Abdur Rouf Sarker; Sumaiya Khatun, sister of anti-discrimination student movement leader Awlad; and Mojahidul Haque, former vice-president of the Rangpur metropolitan unit of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, in Chengmari and Bhangni unions respectively.
Several individuals linked to BNP and JCD were also selected as data collectors. They included Rangpur district JCD member Shafiul Islam Shimul and Fahmida Akter Mim, Mehedi Hasan Fuad, and Fahima Akter Lima, nephew and niece of BNP leader Golam Rabbani. Nine people from Chithli Dakshinpara village alone were selected.
Other selected data collectors included Nowrin Jahan Nizum, daughter of BNP leader Hazrat Ali; two nieces and a sister of Nilphamari Water Development Board office assistant Shafiqul Islam; and Alpana Begum, wife of an office assistant at the UNO’s office.
Mahmudul Hasan denied political considerations, claiming selection based on merit. Shafiul Islam Shimul also claimed merit-based qualification and denied any personal relationship with Fahmida Akter Mim, dismissing the allegation as baseless.
Golam Rabbani denied recommending relatives, stating that Chithli Dakshinpara is a large, densely populated village and that the administration made selections entirely on merit. Ordinary applicants alleged deception by assurances of merit-based recruitment and claimed the process was politicized.
Abdul Hakim, member secretary of the selection committee and Upazila Social Services Officer, stated that the results were based entirely on merit, with 34 officials conducting viva examinations through 17 boards. Attempts to contact UNO Md Parvez for comment were unsuccessful, and he did not respond to a WhatsApp message.
Rangpur-5 MP Gholam Rabbani mentioned receiving assurances from the UNO that recruitment would be merit-based. “I have heard that 11 people from a single village were selected. I will speak directly with the UNO to find out what happened,” he said.