Political parties must be brought under RTI: Badiul Alam Majumdar

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Chief of the Election System Reform Commission, has emphasised the need to bring political parties under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He highlighted that proposals have been made to disclose the educational qualifications and income-expenditure statements of candidates ahead of the upcoming elections.

Speaking at a seminar on the RTI Act held at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday, Dr. Majumdar said, “Bangladesh lags behind even some African countries in the health sector. Malnutrition is a major concern, particularly among women, which directly affects the health of their children. Unless women have the right to good health, the nation cannot claim to be healthy.”

He added, “Investing in women, ending their deprivation, and creating opportunities for them is essential. Women make up half of our society, yet they face systemic disadvantages. Ensuring their representation in all spheres will bring substantial benefits to the country.”

At the seminar, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said, “Government information belongs to the public, not individual officials. Unless officials change their tendency to maintain secrecy, the benefits of the RTI Act cannot be realized.”

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also criticized the interim government, saying it had failed to set a precedent for the effective implementation of the RTI Act.