Election office workers fired in Bangladesh for alleged Rohingya ID fraud; one accused of threatening journalist

Three outsourcing workers at the Netrokona election office in Bangladesh have been dismissed for allegedly facilitating the acquisition of a Bangladeshi national identity card (NID) and passport for a Rohingya man in exchange for money. The terminated employees, identified as data entry operators Kanchan Mia and Arif Mia, and scanning operator Smaran Sarkar Hira, were employed through an agency.

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Following the allegation and probe, three outsourcing workers have been dismissed. They are not permanent employees; they were engaged through an agency.

Netrokona District Election Officer Mohammad Tofayel Hossain confirmed that an investigating committee, formed under the Election Commission's directive, substantiated the allegations based on a specific complaint. The dismissals occurred on Monday. Sources indicate that arrangements were made to secure both an NID and a passport for a Rohingya individual in the Kalmakanda upazila. Similar accusations have surfaced in Netrokona Sadar, involving another Rohingya person allegedly being issued an NID with the collusion of election office staff.

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Investigations into several similar allegations in the district election office are still ongoing.

The issue initially gained attention in January through media reports, prompting the Election Commission to order an investigation, which was conducted by the Mymensingh Regional Election Officer. After a thorough inquiry, the three outsourcing employees were found guilty. While administrative action against permanent election officials implicated in the incident is pending, Tofayel Hossain stated that investigations into other similar allegations within the district election office are ongoing.

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I was mentally stressed and angry after getting fired.

Adding a concerning dimension to the case, one of the dismissed workers, Kanchan Mia, has been accused of issuing death threats to Ibad Hossain, a correspondent for the daily Kaler Kantho, over the phone. The journalist filed a written complaint with the Netrokona Model Police Station on Tuesday. Mia reportedly admitted to verbally abusing the journalist, citing mental stress and anger following his dismissal, and claimed to have apologized later. The Officer-in-Charge of Netrokona Model Police Station confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that legal action would follow the investigation.

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He admitted to verbally abusing the journalist and said he later apologised for his behaviour.