Government Website Changes Lead to Missing Documents Following Leadership Transition

On February 17, the BNP-led government formally assumed office in Bangladesh, succeeding the interim administration headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus. The online operations of the current Prime Minister’s Office are now managed through the official portal, pmo.gov.bd.

Previously, the interim government had maintained a separate website for the Chief Adviser’s Office at cao.gov.bd, but that address now redirects to the Prime Minister’s Office site. Alongside this change, many documents published during the interim government’s tenure have disappeared from public access.

When approached for comment, Atikur Rahman Rumon, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, told the media that it is standard procedure to remove a former head of government’s website after a leadership transition. “The interim government also removed the website of the previous head of state when it assumed office. This is a routine process,” he explained.

However, concerns have been raised about the disappearance of documents. British journalist and columnist David Bergman noted on social media that important government records should be preserved and made easily accessible to the public.

Rumon added that all official documents, including speeches and other materials, are archived and can be accessed through proper application procedures.

During the interim government, the Chief Adviser’s Facebook page, “Chief Adviser GoB,” was actively maintained to share announcements and activities. Although the page has been deactivated for regular updates, it is being preserved as a historical record.

Historical Context

Following the July 2024 coup that removed the Awami League government, Professor Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration took office on August 8, 2024. At that time, the Prime Minister’s Office website was replaced by the Chief Adviser’s Office portal.

Later, in April of the following year, the Cabinet Division issued directives to remove outdated or overly flattering information, images, and videos about the previous government from ministry, department, and local government websites under the National Portal. Many ministries also removed annual reports from the Awami League administration, which were never re-uploaded.

A recent review of ministry websites—including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Road Transport and Highways, Bridges, Labor and Employment, Textiles and Jute, and Women and Children Affairs—found that annual reports from the previous government were no longer available. Some ministries, such as Commerce, Land, Agriculture, and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, still retain past reports.

A ministry system analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the missing reports were not archived and are no longer accessible online.

Bergman emphasized that government documents should remain readily available for both public use and internal government reference. He suggested that the new government take steps to restore access to the Chief Adviser’s Office website and its materials to ensure transparency and historical continuity.

The Chief Adviser’s Facebook page remains online as a historical record, even though its regular operations have ceased. It continues to serve as an archive of the interim government’s announcements, speeches, and activities.