Dhaka, Nov 2 – Bangladesh heads toward its February 2026 elections with a loud cry for change, but many state bodies that were set up to keep corruption in check now seem to be following the same rule‑book they were meant to enforce.
The Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC), created in 2004, has long been a symbol of hope for clean governance. A 2013 amendment now forces the ACC to seek government approval before probing officials. As a result, the watchdog often feels like a “lapdog” rather than a fearless inspector, said Zahid Hussain, former chief economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office. In his Business Standard article, Hussain pointed out that the ACC sometimes speaks out, but only when its leaders give the green light—never at the hands that hold its leash.
The same pattern shows up in other key institutions. Parliament, formally empowered to check the executive, has turned into a stage for scripted performances. Budget debates move forward with minimal scrutiny, committees pull their punches, and opposition voices are either absent or merely ceremonial. “The parliament is like Gilgamesh—an ancient king who ruled without limits” Hussain wrote, describing “echoing power” rather than exercising it.
Bangladesh Bank, once a guardian of the country’s financial health, now appears caught up in politics. In 2013, it approved nine new banks largely because of their ties to power. Since then, regulators have been selective about enforcing loan rescheduling rules, capital adequacy standards and other oversight measures. A 2025 ACC probe even implicated three former governors in major financial scandals, ranging from the Hallmark scam to a reserve fund theft.
The distortion of oversight isn’t limited to formal institutions. Professionals, journalists and civil‑society groups—those who are usually outside the state’s direct control—also feel pressure. Many join public life with reformist enthusiasm, only to be drawn in by access, prestige and the promise of influence. “Policy briefs turn into endorsements,” Hussain warns. “Silence becomes a strategy, and the wild energy of civic resistance is tamed by the lure of belonging.”
This game of imitation means that oversight becomes a rehearsal and resistance becomes a routine. Reformers step into the role of reenactors, and the system co‑opts rather than crushes dissent.
Simply enacting technical fixes—like tenure limits, rotating leadership, digital transparency tools and tamper‑proof procurement—won’t finish the job. There must be a deeper shift in how reform is imagined, told and celebrated. As 2026 approaches, voters and activists need to push for systems that reward restraint over proximity, integrity over spectacle, and democratic accountability that truly holds power in check.
Source: ianslive
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