With the next general election just months away, the Election Commission has decided to create around 2,000 new posts, including 517 assistant upazila election officers, to strengthen its activities.

The EC has also decided to promote 75 of its officials.

“There is a promotion spree in the public administration as well as in the police department. The wave has already reached the Election Commission,” Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder yesterday said while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.

He was briefing reporters after the meeting of the EC committee for appointment, promotion, and administrative reforms. Mahbub, who is the committee chief, chaired the meeting.

He said nine regional election officers had been recommended for promotion to the fourth grade and 29 officials to the fifth grade as deputy secretary.

Also, the job status of 37 officials has been recommended for upgrade to senior assistant secretary.

Mahbub told reporters that the EC would try to fill the newly created posts before the 11th parliamentary election scheduled to be held at the end of December.