Interim govt failed to take firm stance against graft: Iftekharuzzaman
Iftekharuzzaman said TIB does not yet have data to confirm whether corruption has increased or decreased since 5 August, as comparative information is still being analysed. However, corruption has continued, he noted.
The interim government has failed to take a firm stance against corruption, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said today (7 December).
"The interim government had the opportunity to take a much stronger position against corruption since 5 August, but there is no way to deny that they may have failed to do so," he said at a press briefing at the TIB office in Dhaka on the organisation's recommendations for political party manifestos ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.
Iftekharuzzaman said TIB does not yet have data to confirm whether corruption has increased or decreased since 5 August, as comparative information is still being analysed. However, corruption has continued, he noted.
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"We have seen examples since the afternoon of 5 August. A section of people has been involved in corruption by abusing political power and governance space – ranging from partisan influence to illegal occupation and extortion," he said.
"There have also been instances of corruption within different areas of the government," he added.
TIB calls for election manifesto commitments to curb the misuse of powers and religion in politics
At the press briefing, TIB released a set of 52 recommendations for inclusion in political party manifestos, reports UNB. The recommendations were presented by TIB Senior Research Fellow (Qualitative) Md Julkarnayeen.
TIB has called on political parties to clearly articulate their positions on the use of money, muscle power, and religion in politics and to reflect these commitments in their election manifestos.
It also urged them to include firm commitments to preventing corruption, ensuring accountability and good governance in post-election governance, and upholding equality, human dignity, and social justice.
Iftekharuzzaman said the nation expects political parties to commit to building a discrimination-free Bangladesh, ensuring equal rights, harmony, and coexistence for marginalised communities; all genders including women and men; persons with physical and mental disabilities; and all social, cultural, and ethnic groups.
"It is important that political parties clearly mention in their manifestos their commitment to implementing the spirit, objectives, and July Charter of the July Uprising, as well as their position on a national referendum," he added.
"The public expects political parties to pledge in their manifestos that they will continue investigating and prosecuting all killings, crimes, and human rights violations committed during the July Uprising and the authoritarian regime, and take effective measures to prevent such grave violations in the future. The parties must also clarify their position on granting state recognition to the martyrs of the July Uprising, providing adequate support to their families, and ensuring proper treatment and rehabilitation for the injured," Zaman further added.
TIB's recommendations proposed formulating an integrated and effective National Anti-Corruption Strategy Paper through constitutional amendments. The strategy should clearly outline the anti-corruption responsibilities of both state and non-state institutions and ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
For political reform, TIB emphasised ensuring the representation of youth, women, Indigenous peoples, Dalits, and other marginalised communities in party committees and candidate nomination processes. In particular, parties must nominate at least one-third women in national elections to ensure meaningful and inclusive political representation.
TIB called on parties to avoid "zero-sum politics" to foster mutual understanding and healthy competition. The recommendations also encouraged political parties to adopt transparent, accountable, and corruption-free development strategies, and highlighted the need for legal reforms to ensure "value for money" in all public procurement and development projects.
TIB demanded constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples and Dalits to protect their rights, including land and political rights.
To strengthen governance in the banking and financial sector, TIB recommended forming an independent bank commission comprising neutral, reputable, conflict-free, and skilled experts; abolishing the Financial Institutions Division under the Ministry of Finance to end dual control over state-owned banks; and ensuring exemplary punishment for individuals — including officials of Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks — engaged in loan fraud, embezzlement, and other irregularities.
TIB also called for the removal of politically connected individuals and vested-interest groups from the boards and management of Bangladesh Bank and all commercial banks, as well as investigating past corruption in the capital market and punishing those responsible to establish an independent, transparent, and accountable regulatory framework.
In the area of climate change and environmental protection, TIB recommended strengthening transparency and effective management of climate funds and urged the government to pursue climate compensation.
