Transparency International, Bangladesh [TIB] has expressed deep concern over the absence of an active opposition in the 10th Parliament [Jatiya Sangsad] and said the parliamentary democracy would viable if there were a credible and active opposition.
TIB made the observations on the current parliament on Tuesday while placing its ‘Watch Report on the Ninth Parliament’ at a press conference held in the city.
The corruption watchdog, TIB, also termed the current parliament as the ‘house without opposition’ and hoped that the current parliament would be short-lived.
“The Jatiya Party [JP] is not able to play the desired role of the opposition in the parliament. In fact, there is no opposition in the parliament at present, although there is a ruling party,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said.
He said, “The 10th parliament is an exception. There are many debates and controversies about the 10th Parliament. However, we think the exceptional nature of the present parliament will come to end and a new parliament will be formed with the participation of all political parties.”
“After the 10th parliamentary polls, the politicians had said about holding discussions for the 11th parliamentary polls. But it is yet to be held.
However, it’s a political matter when the discussion will take place…It can be held at anytime in five years,” he said.
He further said, “The JP is the Opposition party. But we cannot see them playing the exact role in the House. The Opposition should be like as it is supposed to be. We can’t say there is any Opposition in this parliament in real sense. However, I hope the current parliament would be short-lived.”
“Although boycott of opposition continued in the eighth and ninth parliaments, the 10th parliament apparently is the house without opposition,” he observed.
In this regard, Dr Iftekhar suggested for imposing legal restriction on boycotting the parliament by introducing a new law. “There must be a restriction. It may be a maximum 30-day limit for absence of parliament members in the House. If there is a law against boycotting, the parliament will be more effective and accountable.”
Echoing the same, TIB Trustee Board member and former adviser to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan said, “The Opposition must play their desired role. They can not be a part of the government. We hope an active Opposition will come to the parliament.”
TIB deputy executive director Dr Sumaiya Khair and its Director [Research and Policy] Rafiqul Hasan were also present at the function.
