RANGPUR, Aug. 13 -- Allegations of politicization and nepotism have surfaced over the recruitment of supervisors and data collectors for the Family Card census in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur.

Locals alleged that the wife of a local BNP leader, the upazila Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president and relatives of BNP leaders and activists were given preference despite assurances that recruitment would be based on merit. The issue has also drawn criticism on social media.

According to the Mithapukur Upazila Social Services Office, a notice was issued on July 25 for recruiting supervisors and data collectors in 17 unions. A total of 670 people applied for supervisor posts and around 3,243 for data collector positions.

The selection was ...