Reform Proposed Archives | Page 3 of 6 | Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh

Candidates’ nomination papers should include copies of their income tax returns for the past five years.

For independent candidates, instead of the provision requiring signatures of 1% of the voters, to introduce a provision requiring the consent of 500 voters, and in this case, to provide for expressing the voters’ consent through a single or joint affidavit.

Individuals convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude, as per Article 66 (2)(d) of the Constitution, to be disqualified as candidate in parliamentary elections starting from the date of their conviction.

Repeal the clause of the RPO regarding retirement from the position of executive officer of a private organization three years before the candidate’s candidacy.

Persons indicted in criminal cases on bail must attach certified copies of bail grant order by relevant court.

Wilful defaulters of loans and bills are be made ineligible as candidates to run for Parliament. A loan defaulter must pay off all loans and interests completely at least six months prior to filing for nomination as a candidate for Parliament. Requirements to be put in place to make anyone ineligible to remain as a member of Parliament if he or she becomes a loan defaulter after the election.

The ACC must develop a comprehensive Corruption Prevention Strategy with the assistance of relevant experts and drawing upon objective evaluation of the success and shortcomings of its current preventive activities. The strategy should include short, medium and long-term action plan focusing on such programmes as- Inclusion of ethical and anti-corruption content in the school curriculum at all levels from primary to higher secondary, ensuring that such contents and applicable methods are modern, engaging, and student-friendly; Introducing governance and anti-corruption courses, trainings, internships, and fellowships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels; * Extensive promotion of the ACC’s hotline number (106) through school textbooks, mass media, and social media platforms; * Conducting targeted anti-corruption campaigns and awareness programs through mass media and social media (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram); * Enhancing implementation of laws such as the Right to Information Act 2009, and the Public Interest Information Disclosure (Protection) Act 2011, through widespread awareness campaigns, motivation and training programs; * Organizing promotional programs anchored on anti-corruption pledges, honesty, and adherence to human virtues and practices consistent with anti-corruption related religious edicts and values; * Engaging the youth in anti-corruption awareness and motivational activities inspired and designed by youth themselves at local and national levels; * Expanding partnership and collaboration activities with anti-corruption NGOs; * In line with Article 13 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), mobilizing stakeholders, including the government, to create legal and institutional frameworks that facilitate citizen and media participation in anti-corruption activities; * Playing a leading role in nationally observing the International Anti-Corruption Day and promoting anti-corruption messaging during other important national, social, cultural, religious, and political occasions; and * Collaborating with the Information Commission and related civil society organizations to ensure the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act at the grassroots level. This should include addressing specific challenges faced by marginalized communities and groups and guaranteeing equal access to information for all citizens. * Above all, the strategy must underscore the message that corruption is not only a punishable crime but also a socially, culturally, and religiously unacceptable, destructive, and discriminatory scourge. All possible innovative and appealing methods and processes should be employed to implement a strategic and sustainable corruption prevention programme.

The ACC’s existing Internal Anti-Corruption Committee must be abolished and replaced by an independent Internal Discipline Division. * This proposed division will comprise of personnel from the ACC’s own workforce and individuals appointed on deputation from various defence, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. * Responsibilities of the proposed division shall include: a) Ensuring compliance with code of conduct applicable to ACC officials and employees, using counterintelligence measures if necessary. b) Conducting undercover inquiries or investigations into misconduct or corruption by ACC officials and employees. c) Investigating and scrutinising asset statements submitted under the ACC (Employees) Service Rules, 2008, and d) undertaking appropriate punitive actions when required.

With government support, the ACC should immediately form a high-powered Task Force comprising officials from various investigative and intelligence agencies to identify corrupt officials and employees. Those found guilty of corruption should be dismissed through departmental actions and subjected to criminal prosecution.

Alongside regular annual increments, ACC officials and staff should be provided with performance bonuses from the ACC’s own fund under a well-defined policy to reward efficiency and effectiveness.