Right to Information Forum for politically neutral appointments to Information Commission

The Right to Information Forum has urged the government to ensure that the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners is free from political and bureaucratic influence, placing the highest priority on competence, experience, impartiality, and integrity.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the forum said it had sent a letter to Justice Farah Mahbub, chair of the five-member selection committee, and the other committee members, calling for a transparent and merit-based appointment process.

The statement noted that applications have recently been invited from qualified and interested candidates for the positions of Chief Information Commissioner and two Information Commissioners under the Right to Information Act, 2009.

The forum welcomed the initiative, saying it provides an opportunity to establish an independent, effective, and citizen-oriented Information Commission.

According to the forum, effective implementation of the Right to Information Act largely depends on a competent, objective, and independent Information Commission. It said the selection process should consider not only candidates' professional qualifications but also their ability to work in the public interest without political or administrative influence.

The forum also said the Right to Information Act is an important tool for ensuring citizens' access to information, promoting transparency and accountability, and reducing corruption.

However, it noted that previous appointments were affected by political considerations and bureaucratic influence, limiting the commission's effectiveness.

It expressed hope that the current selection committee would appoint qualified and impartial candidates.

The statement was signed by Right to Information Forum Convener Shaheen Anam, SUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, COAST Trust Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, BNNRC Chief Executive HM Bazlur Rahman, Nagorik Uddyog Chief Executive Zakir Hossain, iSocial Chairperson Anannya Raihan, BLAST Honorary Executive Director Sara Hossain, Rupantar Executive Director Rafiqul Islam Khokon, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman, Research Initiatives Bangladesh Deputy Director Ruhi Naz, and Hamidul Islam Hillol, Project Manager of the Tobacco Tax Project at the Bureau of Economic Research, University of Dhaka.