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Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has accused the ruling party of abusing its parliamentary majority by bypassing parliamentary rules and long-standing practices in lawmaking and the formation of parliamentary standing committees in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB alleged that several bills, including the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026, were passed without being referred to standing or select committees, despite opposition demands for public scrutiny.
It also claimed lawmakers received copies of the bill only moments before it was tabled, denying them adequate time for review.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were introduced through supplementary business without prior notice, while other bills were rushed through despite opposition objections.
The anti-corruption watchdog also criticised the composition of parliamentary standing committees, questioning the appointment of a state minister from one ministry to oversee committees related to other ministries.
It said such appointments undermine parliamentary oversight and accountability.
TIB further alleged that the government failed to honour commitments made in the July National Charter, which envisaged greater opposition representation in key parliamentary committees.
It urged the government to reconstitute the disputed committees, ensure proportional opposition representation, strengthen parliamentary oversight through new legislation, and include all directly elected women MPs in at least one parliamentary committee.
