Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the Advisory Council’s approval of the draft Anti-Corruption Commission Ordinance (Amendment) 2025, saying it overlooks crucial strategic recommendations proposed by the ACC Reform Commission.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TIB said the ordinance must incorporate the recommendations outlined in the Reform Commission’s report to make the ACC truly independent, effective, and capable of restoring public trust.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “The draft ordinance is a somewhat improved version of the existing law, and it reflects some of the Reform Commission’s recommendations.
“However, it is disappointing that several strategically important recommendations have been omitted or disregarded.”
Iftekharuzzaman added that the Reform Commission had proposed the formation of a Selection and Review Committee to ensure transparency in appointing commissioners and accountability in the ACC’s performance.
“The government has rejected the review portion, which would have allowed periodic assessment of the ACC’s performance. The ACC has long been used as a tool to harass opponents and protect those in power, and this indicates that the government does not want to change that,” he said.
Iftekharuzzaman noted that the government had addressed only a small portion of the urgent issues identified by the Reform Commission.
He continued, “Additional significant recommendations concerning the Commission’s institutional governance, transparency in recruitment, bureaucratic influence, internal corruption and irregularities, as well as the supportive legal and policy framework relevant to the ACC’s mandate, were expected to be implemented through collaborative efforts between the government and the ACC.
“However, due to the absence of visible progress, frustration has deepened. Although the drafting of this ordinance initially created some hope, in reality it has only intensified concern and disappointment.”
Iftekharuzzaman also said that the authority to nominate the opposition representative to the Selection Committee has been shifted from the Leader of the Opposition to the Speaker of Parliament – a change that strengthens ruling party influence.
He noted, “The Reform Commission also suggested that the Chief Justice choose one Bangladeshi citizen who is an expert in anti-corruption and good governance to be a member of the committee.
“This responsibility has now been given to the President. The government has also removed the provision for publishing the names of shortlisted candidates, thereby rejecting an opportunity to ensure transparency in the appointment process.”
According to Recommendation No. 13 of the Reform Commission report, commissioners were to be chosen from individuals with at least 15 years’ experience in law, education, administration, the judiciary, law enforcement, financial institutions, accounting, auditing, or anti-corruption work in government or non-government organisations.
The draft ordinance, however, raises the requirement to 25 years. The proposal to increase the number of commissioners from three to five has also been ignored.
Iftekharuzzaman said the omitted recommendations had the support of almost all political parties and were well known to both the government and the ACC. “Despite this, the government has arbitrarily dismissed these provisions.
“This opposition may stem from powerful groups and individuals within the government and even within the ACC who benefit from the Commission’s current lack of effectiveness. For a government tasked with reform, this is a disappointing, contradictory, and anti-reform precedent.”
He added, “The government itself formed the Reform Commission and created an opportunity for national consensus, yet it is now disregarding all of this.
“How can the government or the ACC justify undermining or suppressing reforms, particularly in areas where consensus has already been reached?”
