Reforming political parties is more urgent than reforming state institutions, speakers said at a policy dialogue organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), stressing that transparency and accountability must be restored to rebuild public trust ahead of the national election.
The dialogue, titled “Transparency, Accountability, and Governance Mechanisms,” took place on Saturday at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, with participation from policymakers, former officials, academics, civil society representatives, political leaders, and researchers. Discussions focused on administrative transparency, institutional accountability, democratic governance, and the political commitments required to establish a people-oriented, corruption-free state.
Opening the event, CGS President Zillur Rahman said governance discussions often focus narrowly on administrative efficiency, overlooking the political dimensions that define the use of power and citizens’ rights.
“Transparency and accountability are not merely administrative issues in a democratic state,” he said. “They determine who the governance system serves, how power is exercised, and within what framework accountability is ensured.”
Rahman added that political parties’ commitments must move beyond election rhetoric into concrete action. “Unchecked corruption, political bias, and abuse of authority erode public trust, particularly after elections, when partisan influence within governance structures tends to increase,” he said.
Accountability must start from top
Economist Dr. Selim Jahan emphasized transparency, accountability, and judicial independence as the foundations of good governance.
“An elected government is not a party’s government—it belongs to the entire country,” he said, adding that accountability must be ensured from the highest level. He underscored the importance of impartial rule of law, judicial independence, and responsible media in delivering accurate information to citizens.
Former NBR Chairman Dr. Muhammad Abdul Majid warned that repeated failures to implement manifesto commitments have created a deep crisis of trust. He cited abandoned initiatives to disclose lawmakers’ asset details and raised concerns over undisclosed agreements, minority voting rights, and opaque decision-making in major state matters.
Political parties must lead reform
BNP Vice Chairman Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon said accountability must begin with individuals and political parties. He questioned foreign political influence, called for strict enforcement of dual citizenship laws, and urged parties to submit truthful affidavits.
BASAD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz criticized the lack of asset disclosure by interim government advisers, stressing that transparency must apply to all governments. “Without disclosure and accountability, public distrust will continue to grow,” he said.
Gono Forum President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury said repeated changes in government have not altered the state’s underlying character. “If political parties do not practice transparency and accountability, how can these values be ensured among the people?” he asked.
Former MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni expressed concern over persistent lack of transparency, questioning whether media freedom and judicial independence have genuinely improved. She warned that the continued presence of loan defaulters and hidden assets among lawmakers poses serious risks to the country’s future.
Professor Shahidul Islam Zahid of Dhaka University said conflicts of interest and excessive centralization of power fuel corruption, as officials often seek to secure their post-office future. He stressed the need to embed ethics across all sectors, particularly education.
Barrister Nasreen Sultana Mily noted that governance discussions often lack clear implementation roadmaps, citing unimplemented reform commission recommendations. Former Secretary A.K.M. Abdul Awal Majumder emphasized merit-based appointments and transparency in recruitment, warning that governance failures will persist without qualified and independent officials.
Several speakers, including Didar Bhuiyan, Professor Dr Shamsun Nahar Khanom, and Muhammad Showkat Ali Hawlader, highlighted gaps between laws and their implementation, ethical decline in politics, undisclosed agreements, and concerns over election credibility.
CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi criticized elected governments for abandoning reform agendas once in power, creating “zero accountability, zero transparency, and zero governance process.” He questioned major economic and security decisions made without public explanation.
The dialogue concluded with consensus that restoring public trust requires genuine political reform, ethical leadership, and enforceable accountability mechanisms—beginning within political parties themselves.
The policy dialogue was moderated by CGS President Zillur Rahman.
