Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged for the appointment of new, independent leadership at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), free from political and bureaucratic influences.
Following the resignation of the ACC chairman and commissioners on October 29, 2024, TIB in a statement on Thursday emphasized the urgent need to select capable and impartial individuals through established legal procedures.
TIB highlighted that restoring public trust in the ACC requires leaders dedicated to integrity and the public interest, entirely detached from personal or partisan agendas.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman noted that the ACC, a key institution in the ongoing state reform programme, has struggled to fulfill its responsibilities for a considerable time. He stated that an ACC Reform Commission has been tasked with providing recommendations to enable the commission to operate in a free, impartial, and effective manner.
In light of the recent resignations, the government has taken the responsibility of promptly establishing a new commission.
Investigations are currently underway against numerous former ministers, MPs, and government officials from the recently ousted authoritarian regime for charges related to illegal wealth accumulation and money laundering.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman pointed out that a leadership vacuum at the ACC could disrupt ongoing investigations and operations.
He stressed that new inquiries and cases cannot be initiated until a new commission is formed, making it crucial to resolve this gap to avoid hindering state reform initiatives.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also criticized the ACC’s recruitment process, which since its establishment in 2004 has often been influenced by political and bureaucratic factors, serving agendas rather than the public interest.
Throughout authoritarian regimes, the ACC has shown a troubling alignment with political authorities, failing to meet its expected responsibilities and often neglecting to investigate serious allegations of corruption.
In some cases, the ACC even acquitted individuals after initiating investigations, damaging its credibility.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman asserted that the ACC should not be used as a tool for political harassment, but instead must operate as a strong anti-corruption entity.
He stated, “We believe that no individual directly or indirectly involved in party politics should be considered for the positions of ACC chairman or commissioner.”