Photo: Bonik Barta Since the interim government took office, extensive
changes have been made in different positions, including public administration,
police, and the education cadre. However, as of Tuesday, no changes have occurred
in the top three positions of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Some within
the ACC believe that changes in these top positions might happen this month,
while others think the current commission may remain in place until December.
According to sources within the ACC, no commission
meetings were held last month, leading to a standstill in the commission's
activities. No cases or charge sheets were approved during that period.
However, commission meetings are set to resume starting this week (today).
Following this directive, desk officers are preparing files for the commission
meetings. This is one reason why many believe that the top three officials of
the commission will not be replaced immediately. Additionally, a search
committee needs about a month to select a new commission.
According to sources within the ACC, the commission
currently only handles routine work. Previously, during the 1/11 government, a
new commission was formed, which compiled a list of corrupt individuals and
subsequently took action against many based on that list. However, the current
interim government has not yet given any directives to the commission. As a
result, the commission is not receiving any guidance.
A senior ACC official said, "For the new commission,
the interim government and political parties like BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami seek
their preferred candidates. Meanwhile, the administrative cadre also wants to
maintain its influence. They aim to propose candidates through the
Administrative Service Association. The Judicial Service also wants to appoint
its preferred individuals to the ACC."
According to conversations with ACC officials, they want
honest, impartial, and fearless individuals in the positions of chairman and
commissioner. They seek people who will maintain professionalism, resist
temptation, and remain steadfast in enforcing the commission's laws.
Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah serves as the chairman of the
ACC, and Mohammad Jahurul Haque and Asia Khatun are the commissioners. Many
believe these three were appointed during the previous government and were not
impartial. Consequently, widespread advice is to make changes at the top
positions.
Former ACC Director Nasim Anwar told Bonik Barta, “The
current commission was appointed during the previous government. If they are
working a certain way now, why couldn’t they do so? Their previous work seems
to be controversial. They were not impartial. Now, they are actively trying to
preserve their positions. Following the popular uprising, changes in the
commission are necessary. The new commission should consist of impartial
individuals eager to work for the country.”
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good
Governance (SHUJON), told Bonik Barta, “We haven’t seen any effective actions
from the current commission during the previous government’s tenure. If they
need support now, the government should assist them. However, if they are
ineffective, the ACC should be restructured to ensure that looters do not
escape justice. This was one of the key demands following the popular
uprising.”
The ACC Commission is composed of a chairman and two
commissioners. According to Section 7 of the ACC Act 2004, the President
appoints the commissioners for a five-year term based on the recommendations of
a selection committee.
The Chief Justice will nominate two members for the
selection committee: the Supreme Court's Appellate Division and the High Court
Division. Additionally, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh
(CAG), the Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, and the most recent
retired Cabinet Secretary will also be members of the selection committee.
However, if the retired Cabinet Secretary is unavailable or declines to join
the committee, the next most recent retired Cabinet Secretary will be appointed.
The current Cabinet Secretary will become a committee member if he is
unavailable or declines.
The selection committee will be chaired by a Supreme
Court's Appellate Division judge, as nominated by the Chief Justice. A quorum
for the selection committee will be constituted with at least four members. The
Cabinet Division will handle the committee's administrative duties. To form the
commission, the selection committee will propose the names of six candidates to
the President. The President will appoint three candidates as commissioners,
including one as Chairman and two as Commissioners.
The President appoints one of the three commissioners to
the position of Chairman. The Chairman presides over all commission meetings,
and in the Chairman's absence, a commissioner appointed by the Chairman will
preside over the meeting. A quorum for a meeting is constituted by the presence
of the Chairman and two commissioners.
The Chairman and commissioners of the Anti-Corruption
Commission (ACC) enjoy the same status, privileges, and benefits as judges of
the Supreme Court's Appellate Division and High Court Division, respectively.
