Election in February: How prepared is the administration?

With the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February, questions are growing over how prepared the country’s administration is to manage the process. Officials and employees at the Secretariat report multifaceted dissatisfaction, including inter-cadre inequalities and demands to reduce pay disparities under the new pay scale. Meanwhile, the government has begun reorganizing field administration in preparation for the polls.

Sources said a form of inertia has set in across the administration, with coordination lacking at multiple levels. Demands to reduce disparities in promotions, cadre inequality, and allowances under the new pay scale have intensified.

Secretariat employees are actively pursuing their own demands, while mandatory retirements and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) activities continue. Some appointed secretaries and senior secretaries are unable to join their posts, and a group of self-serving officers and employees are reportedly involved in obstructive activities, generating tension that is further exacerbated by “ghost” promotions. As a result, government operations have slowed, raising doubts about the administration’s readiness for the elections.

Unchecked rises in commodity prices and a deepening economic crisis are worsening public hardship. Law enforcement and administrative agencies have not been fully effective, contributing to growing public insecurity. Recent incidents of vandalism, arson, and violence against women have heightened concerns.

Observers note that the interim government has faced criticism for its handling of mob violence and law-and-order situations. In response, the government has only condemned attacks and promised action against perpetrators, which many critics consider insufficient. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has repeatedly stated that his government follows a “zero-tolerance” policy against mobs, but no practical examples have been observed. Experts say creating a stable electoral environment under these conditions is a major challenge.