Dhaka, Jan. 27 -- The interim government has promoted 118 civil servants holding the rank of joint secretary to additional secretary in a sweeping move two weeks before the parliamentary elections.

On Tuesday night, the Ministry of Public Administration announced that until new responsibilities are assigned, the promoted officials will serve as special officers in their ministries.

Reports of a wider promotion drive for over 200 officials in additional secretary and joint secretary ranks had surfaced earlier.

Sources indicated that several officers who manage key roles -- including ministers' and state ministers' personal staff and deputy commissioners -- were reportedly excluded from the list.

A senior official at the ministry told b...