Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the ruling party’s actions in the 13th Parliament, describing the violation of parliamentary rules and practices as a “unilateral abuse of majority power.”
The anti-graft watchdog highlighted that bills are being introduced as supplementary business in violation of the Rules of Procedure and passed without meaningful scrutiny or debate.
Furthermore, TIB noted a significant deviation from established parliamentary practice regarding the formation of parliamentary standing committees.
In a press statement issued on Tuesdays, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman pointed out that under Rule 77 of the Rules of Procedure, a minister should propose referring a bill to a standing or select committee, or circulate it for public opinion. He noted that none of these procedures were followed for the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026.
“The government did not consider the opposition’s proposal to refer the bill to public opinion or to a select committee and did not allow the opposition to move amendments,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
He added that while MPs customarily receive copies of a bill three days before introduction, copies of this specific bill were distributed only moments before it was tabled, denying members any opportunity for scrutiny.
TIB also flagged that the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were introduced as supplementary business without prior notice.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman remarked that such unilateral passage of bills raises questions about how the current Parliament differs from those of the “authoritarian era”.
Regarding the formation of standing committees, TIB criticised the inclusion of the state minister for Rural Development and Cooperatives- who faces allegations of conflicts of interest- as a member of the Standing Committees on the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman argued that a cabinet member overseeing other ministries undermines the purpose of these committees, a practice he claimed has not been observed in the post-1990 period.
The executive director further noted that the current committee formations breach Clause 24 of the July National Charter, a commitment joined by 30 political parties. The Charter mandates that opposition members chair the Public Accounts Committee, the Committee on Privileges, the Committee on Estimates, and the Public Undertakings Committee.
It also requires that opposition members chair ministry-related standing committees in proportion to their representation, which should currently be approximately 26 per cent.
TIB urged the government to reconstitute controversial committees and adhere to its 31-point reform agenda. The organisation called for new legislation under Article 78(5) of the Constitution to strengthen the authority of parliamentary committees.
Additionally, TIB recommended that the four committees specified in the July Charter include at least one woman member, and that all directly elected women MPs be appointed to at least one standing committee.
