Reports to the Election Commission have confirmed that a significant number of ministers and lawmakers have amassed sizeable fortunes while in office during the last five years.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has rightly taken issue with indications that investigations into the wealth of these public officials will not be taken forward at present to avoid causing disruption before the election.
The very purpose of requesting such statements is to demonstrate transparency and allow accountability. It is insufficient merely to ask candidates to present affidavits and statements for the public record, if the content of their statements is not properly scrutinised when apparent anomalies are reported.
The government should ask for more information on the wealth statements of lawmakers as per the mandatory law that requires them to submit relevant documents. If this is not done, the law will be rendered meaningless, and the potential for abuse of public office for private gain may continue unchallenged.
It is not enough to simply raise an eyebrow on some of the disclosures that have been made. Steps must be taken to increase overall transparency and enforcement of the law. This should include use of powers to fully investigate and where appropriate to disbar candidates who can be proved to have acquired wealth illegally.