Adamdighi family card recruitment draws praise, political tagging alleged

Published : Saturday, 8 August, 2026 at 9:06 PM

Observer staff correspondent

File Photo

The recruitment process for data collectors and supervisors for the Family Card census in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura has drawn praise from successful candidates and local residents for its transparency and neutrality. However, some unsuccessful applicants have allegedly been campaigning by labelling several selected candidates as supporters of the Awami League, despite claims that the candidates have no political position or organisational affiliation with the party or any of its affiliated bodies.

The Adamdighi upazila administration published the final recruitment list on Thursday afternoon (August 6), following a selection process based on candidates’ qualifications and previous experience. A total of 95 data collectors and 10 supervisors have been selected for six unions and one municipality of the upazila. The results were published in a notice signed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masuma Begum and Upazila Social Services Officer Al Amin.

Following publication of the results, successful candidates expressed satisfaction with the recruitment process, saying it was conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that some unsuccessful applicants are attempting to portray a number of successful candidates as Awami League supporters. The selected candidates, however, reportedly have no positions or organisational involvement in the Awami League or any of its affiliated organisations.

The Family Card programme has been undertaken by the government to ensure social protection for marginalised and low-income families. As part of the initiative, the Family Card Census-2026 is being conducted nationwide during August and September. The census began on August 1 and is scheduled to continue until September 14, with field-level data collection aimed at preparing a list of genuinely poor and eligible families.

To ensure the census is conducted properly, data collectors and supervisors are being recruited under the supervision of upazila social services offices, along with necessary training. As part of the nationwide initiative, the census activities also began in Adamdighi.

On July 21, the Adamdighi upazila administration issued a recruitment notice for 86 data collectors and 10 supervisors. According to the report, 714 people applied for the data collector positions and 90 applied for the supervisor positions from the six unions and one municipality. However, UNO Masuma Begum later said that 716 candidates had applied for the data collector positions.

After receiving the applications, the upazila administration formed a practical and oral examination board on August 3 with officials from different government departments. Candidates were assessed on the basis of their qualifications, experience and skills. Following the verification and selection process, the final results were published on August 6.

According to the published results, 15 data collectors, including men and women, were selected from Santahar Municipality. Santahar Union has 12 selected candidates, including one reserved position; Chatiangram Union has 15, including two reserved positions; Adamdighi Sadar Union has 16, including two reserved positions; Nasharatpur Union has 14, including two reserved positions; Kundagram Union has 12, including one reserved position; and Chapapur Union has 11, including one reserved position.

In addition, 10 candidates, including one for a reserved position, were selected for the supervisor posts.

The successful candidates expressed relief and satisfaction after the results were announced. Local residents also praised the upazila administration for completing the recruitment process in what they described as a fair and impartial manner.

However, the publication of the results was followed by controversy over allegations of political labelling. Some unsuccessful candidates have allegedly been attempting to brand several successful candidates as Awami League supporters. The selected candidates have denied having any organisational position or formal involvement with the Awami League or its affiliated organisations.

Several successful candidates also pointed out that during the previous Awami League government, people from families supporting the BNP or holding different political views also worked in various government censuses and temporary projects. They said such recruitment processes were generally based on qualifications and operational requirements rather than political identity.

Some members of the local community believe that the current allegations may be linked to dissatisfaction among unsuccessful candidates. However, no independent evidence was provided in the report to establish that the political allegations were made for this reason.

Several successful candidates for the data collector positions said the recruitment examination was conducted in a completely neutral and transparent environment. They said there was no political influence or pressure on the administration during the process and that educational qualifications and previous work experience were given priority.

They also alleged that some unsuccessful candidates were attempting to attach the Awami League label to selected candidates, including students, following the publication of the results.

UNO Masuma Begum said there were 86 posts for data collectors, along with nine reserve candidates, making a total of 95 positions. She said 716 candidates had applied for the posts. For supervisors, there were nine positions along with one reserve position, making a total of 10, against 90 applicants.

She said a committee comprising officials from different government departments was formed to ensure a proper recruitment process. Following practical and oral examinations and necessary verification, the final results were published peacefully and transparently in accordance with the decision of the recruitment board.

-HIS