Independent ACC

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Editorial

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Author / Source : editorial

A study, conducted by the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), says that the amendments proposed by the government to the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Act are not liked by majority of the people. As high as 57 per cent of the respondents, taken from a cross section of people,  expressed their disapproval of the move. An overwhelming majority of 97 per cent have favoured an independent and effective ACC. On the question of one of the proposed amendments requiring the ACC to seek permission of the government before initiating investigation into alleged corruption by government officials, however, 73 per cent have made their opposition known. However, 34.8 per cent of the respondents supported all the four amendments, including the three concerning the government's right to appoint the secretary of the ACC, making ACC accountable to the president and the provision for up to five years of imprisonment of key functionaries of the watchdog body for biased or motivated filing of cases.
Had the people been well aware of what the ACC ought to be and the first three proposed amendments seek to do, the approval by 34.8 per cent respondents for those at least would have been unthinkable. This brings home the message that there is a need for launching a campaign to sensitise people about the role and function of such bodies like the ACC. As for the third amendment, it has come purely from mistrust.
Question may be asked as to how the popular approval rating will be measured. It is quite simple. If ACC is independent and performs its job well, corruption in the country will come down to the minimum. Has the ACC any chance of outgrowing itself if it is given freedom? If there is any such apprehension, ensuring the transparency of its investigation and all other related acts can do the trick. Well, if we care not to make its accountability a casualty, other ways can be found.