The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched surprise raids on 13 district election offices across Bangladesh following complaints of financial misconduct and irregular services.
On Monday, multiple ACC teams conducted on-site inspections, some in disguise, after receiving complaints from citizens seeking public services.
One of the raids took place at the Naogaon district election office. ACC officials, acting undercover, found proof of cash transactions in exchange for services. Officials say they documented evidence of direct monetary exchanges during the operation.
In Rajshahi, ACC Assistant Director Amir Hossain confirmed two separate cases where outsourced workers took cash from service-seekers. “We verified the complaints during the visit,” he said. “We will submit a full report to the commission.”
In Mymensingh, another team visited the regional election office. Assistant Director Mohammad Bulu Mia said the operation found credible evidence of irregular activities tied to unethical payments and administrative delays.
Similar inspections took place in Dinajpur, where officials reviewed documents and spoke with election staff on duty. They cross-checked records and gathered internal information on service delivery and office procedures.
In Pabna, the ACC conducted a separate raid focused on complaints about delays in receiving services online. Led by Assistant Director Sadhan Chandra Sutradhar from the Pabna integrated office, the team examined workflow issues and listened to concerns raised by service applicants.
The coordinated effort across multiple districts suggests a broader push by the ACC to hold local offices accountable. It also signals concern over how citizens are treated when trying to access essential services like voter ID updates, registrations, and certificate issuance.
The ACC has not yet commented on disciplinary measures but said follow-up actions will be based on field reports now being compiled and reviewed by the commission’s central office. More operations may follow depending on the outcome of this initial round.
