The government appointed new deputy commissioners to 10 districts yesterday, just three days after appointing nine new DCs and transferring one.

The public administration ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard yesterday.

The move is considered significant as the DCs will act as returning officers during the next general election, likely to be held in late December this year or early January next year.

Of the 10 newly appointed DCs, five are from the 27th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). They were recruited during the tenure of the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government. They got appointments in 2009 when the Awami League was in power, officials said.

Two of the new DCs are from the 25th BCS batch and three from the 24th BCS batch.

Law minister's Private Secretary Nur Kutubul Alam has been made the DC of Patuakhali, the private secretary to state minister for shipping, Abraul Hasan Mojumder, has been posted as the DC of Jashore, and Prime Minister's Office Director Ehtasham Reza as the DC of Kushtia.

Besides, public administration Deputy Secretary Rafiqul Islam has been made the DC of Barguna, Economic Relations Division Deputy Secretary Debi Chanda is appointed as the DC of Habiganj, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Khalid Hossain as the DC of Bagerhat, Narayanganj City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Shahidul Islam as the DC of Barishal, Deputy Secretary of Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Muhammad Nizam Uddin Ahmed as the DC of Bhola, Local Government Division Deputy Secretary Shahed Parvez as the DC of Netrakona and Power Division Deputy Secretary Sheikh Russel Hossain as DC of Sylhet.