The Transparency International Bangladesh on Wednesday gave to the interim government a reform agenda containing a 55-point recommendation, including a provision that would bar an individual from serving as prime minister for more than two terms.
The anti-graft watchdog also suggested that a person should not simultaneously hold the posts of prime minister or head of government and party leader for the sake of democratic practices.
Organisation executive director Iftekharuzzaman stated these recommendations to the interim government at a press conference at its office in the capital advocating for democracy, good governance, and fighting corruption.
The recommendation included that the speaker of the parliament should be free from party influence, avoid conflicts of interest, and act as the guardian of the parliament, conducting all parliamentary activities impartially.
The deputy speaker should be elected from the opposition in the parliament, while in the absence of both the speaker and the deputy speaker members of opposition parties included in the presidium should be allowed to perform the duties of the speaker.
It further suggested amending Article 70 of the constitution to allow lawmakers the freedom to criticise their party and vote against it on various matters, including legislation, except for no-confidence motions and the budget.
The parliamentary system of proportional representation should be introduced to ensure the representation of various demographic groups and other marginalised groups in nominating lawmakers.
The other recommendations include introducing a non-partisan interim government system to ensure free, fair, impartial and participatory election, and repeal of the amendments to the People鈥檚 Representation Order that undermine the powers of the Election Commission.
The chair of at least 50 per cent of the parliamentary standing committees, including those of key public interests, must be elected from amongst the parliamentarians from the opposition party, according to one recommendation.
Formulation of a reform framework for political parties along with establishing an internal democratic process of transparency and accountability through abolishing absolute authority of party leaders and dynasty politics and determining party leadership through fair elections at all levels were also recommended.
The separation of the Judiciary from the Executive must be completed immediately in line with the judgement of the Masdar Hossain case, the anti-corruption watchdog said.
It has also recommended establishment of a fully empowered Secretariat of the Judiciary to ensure the independence and dignity of the Judiciary and to ensure that administrative activities are conducted independently.
Formulation of specific policies or laws making it compulsory to consult with the Supreme Court regarding the appointment of judges to the High Court Division has also been recommended.
The recommendations also include repeal of the sixteenth amendment of the constitution and vest the sole authority in the Supreme Judicial Council to remove judges.
The Public Service Act, 2018 and the Public Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979 should be updated to make public administration effective efficient and dynamic, said the Transparency International Bangladesh.
It also recommends that ending the practice of appointments of government officials by deputation at higher levels, such as director and above, at the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Amendment to the relevant sections of laws to ensure the anti-corruption body鈥檚 authority to investigate into and take action against corrupt acquisition of wealth and money laundering has also been recommended.
Freeing institutions like the anti-corruption commission and other bodies tasked with combating and preventing corruption from partisan influence and strengthening their capacities and professional skills is part of the recommendations.
The transparency watchdog has also recommended formation of a permanent task force involving the Anti-Corruption Commission, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, National Board of Revenue, Criminal Investigation Department of police, and the Attorney General鈥檚 office to fight effectively against corruption and money laundering. Part of its recommendations also included abolition of opportunities to whiten undisclosed money in the national budget.
Depoliticising the process of appointment of the heads and members to all the constitutional and statutory institutions, while ensuring an independent work environment for these bodies has also been recommended.
The recommendations also include an end to the interference and surveillance over media and civil society activities by intelligence agencies on the pretext of national security.
Repealing from the relevant laws all clauses that undermine the freedom of expression, including the freedom of the media, and corrode the overall environment to publish objective information forms part of the recommendations.
One of the recommendations is enactment of the draft 鈥楶ress Council Act, 2019鈥� and the draft 鈥楳edia Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 2018鈥� with necessary reforms based on the opinions of the stakeholders concerned to ensure freedom of media.
The transparency international further recommends an independent and impartial investigation in the banking sector to assess its actual condition, saying that the investigation report must be made public.
It recommends the formation of an independent 鈥楤ank Commission鈥� consisting of experts who are competent, impartial, reputable, and free from conflicts of interest.
The commission will be tasked with formulating a strategy paper outlining the reforms necessary in the banking sector and all relevant laws that go against the interest of depositors and perpetuate the family or clan control in the sector, the organisation said.
The transparency watchdog also recommended a short, medium and long-term time-bound plan to phase out the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy.
Repeal of the 鈥楽peedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) (Amendment) Act, 2010鈥� and abolition of the provision of capacity charges in the power sector has also been stressed in the recommendations.
The recommendations include the cancellation of all the on-going development projects harmful to the environment and biodiversity in eco-sensitive and protected forests and environmentally sensitive areas.
Organisation executive director Iftekharuzzaman said, 鈥楿nprecedented blood and sacrifice led to the fall of the authoritarian government through the student movement, so step must be taken as one authoritarian regime is not replaced by another. Otherwise, the expectations of the students will not be met.鈥�
鈥楾he road to where the students want to go is still far.聽 We are very sympathetic to this government. They don鈥檛 have a magic wand that can quickly change this culture,鈥� he added.