The growing influence of money and muscle power in Bangladesh's political landscape is raising concerns over democratic practices within political parties, with a new study identifying gaps in internal democracy, financial transparency and accountability.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) presented the findings in a report titled Institutional Governance of Political Parties in Bangladesh at a press conference in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Sunday.
The report found that political parties lack clear guidelines on financial management, income and expenditure records, auditing and accountability. It also identified a lack of effective mechanisms to prevent individuals involved in criminal activities from joining parties or securing important positions.
According to the study, 16 political parties do not regularly hold national conferences. Among them, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has not held a national conference in more than 10 years.
The parties also do not prepare annual budgets, with a large portion of their income and expenditure managed through program-based and informal processes.
The study found that the constitutions of 18 political parties do not specify minimum integrity and moral standards for membership. Nor do they contain effective provisions to prevent individuals involved in criminal activities from becoming members or holding important positions.
The report said political parties are increasingly seeking individuals with money and muscle power to finance party activities, meet expenses, establish dominance and control polling centers during elections.
At the same time, individuals who accumulate wealth through illegal means and possess muscle power seek political influence to secure protection and gain social standing.
Individuals involved in crimes such as extortion, human trafficking, smuggling, and arms and drug trading have also been found joining relatively influential political parties, the study said.
It further found that between 18% and 32% of candidates who contested the past 5 national parliamentary elections had at least 1 case filed against them over alleged involvement in various crimes.
Financial transparency and accountability
TIB identified widespread shortcomings in the financial management of political parties, saying none of the parties studied had clear financial policies or procedures.
Their constitutions contain unclear provisions on income and expenditure, membership fees, donation acceptance, financial transactions, form fees, auditing and financial accountability.
The report also found that parties lack effective mechanisms to hold nominated candidates accountable for violating state regulations, including electoral codes of conduct.
Candidates have also concealed or provided incorrect and incomplete information in election affidavits about their assets, loans, business interests and foreign citizenship, it said.
Party constitutions also lack clear guidelines on candidates' election expenditure plans, sources of funds, expenditure monitoring and the submission of financial reports.
According to the study, candidates spent an average of 169.5% more than the prescribed expenditure limit in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, but political parties took no effective action over the violations.
TIB also found that parties rarely take visible action against allegations that their leaders and activists accumulate wealth through criminal activities, irregularities and corruption. In some cases, minor disciplinary measures are imposed to close the matter.
Information disclosure and internal democracy
The study found shortcomings in political parties' disclosure of information. Of the 32 parties included in the research, 24 have websites, but only 16 are active.
Its overall findings point to extensive gaps in transparency, accountability, democratic practices, participation and inclusion in the institutional activities of political parties, alongside inadequate measures to prevent irregularities and corruption.
Although laws and regulations govern party registration and participation in national elections, the report identified the absence of a strong legal framework to ensure internal democracy, transparency and accountability in political financing.
It also said the existing legal framework does not fully align with international good practices.
Despite the substantial funds required to run political parties, much of their financial management depends on informal processes and individual arrangements. This creates significant discrepancies between officially disclosed income and expenditure and the actual financial situation, the report said.
The dominance of individual dependence and informal funding sources is also contributing to the development of individual- and family-centered politics within parties.
The study further identified the growing influence of black money, misuse of power, political criminalization and internal conflicts, particularly within influential political parties.
In many cases, political participation and party positions are increasingly becoming power-centered business models, it said.
Progress in women's political participation also remains limited, despite legal obligations and party commitments. The report said parties remain reluctant to ensure women's inclusion, with their presence in some party activities being largely nominal or symbolic.
Shortcomings in democratic practices, grassroots participation and the inclusion of female activists are further reinforcing single-person leadership, dynastic politics, authoritarianism, oligarchy and patriarchy within political parties, the study observed.
Study methodology
The study was conducted using qualitative methods, drawing on information from primary and secondary sources.
TIB contacted 42 political parties, including 37 registered and 5 unregistered parties, and received information from 32. The remaining 10 did not provide information despite repeated attempts to contact them.
The report also noted delays, non-cooperation and the submission of partial information by political parties and relevant stakeholders during data collection.
Information was collected in 2 phases: the first from June 2023 to February 2024 and the second from June 2025 to September 2026.
TIB's observations on political party governance
Speaking at the press conference, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said political parties are among the most important institutions in a democratic system.
He said political parties had made significant contributions to Bangladesh's history and achievements, while also bearing responsibility for various challenges to democratic progress and good governance.
“Democracy cannot be properly implemented if good governance is not ensured within political parties, which are among the central institutions of the democratic system,” he said.
“We generally talk about reforms in various state institutions, but the issue of internal reforms within political parties is often overlooked. However, institutional good governance within political parties is extremely important for establishing democracy,” he added.
Iftekharuzzaman said the study considered the roles of political parties and people's expectations of them.
He said the research began in June 2023, but changes in the country's political context and challenges in obtaining cooperation from political parties during information collection prolonged the process of completing the report.