CORRUPTION remains one of the most formidable barriers to sustainable development, good governance and social justice in Bangladesh. This essay explores key avenues through which Bangladesh can combat corruption more effectively. It outlines actionable reforms across core areas: strengthening institutions, robust monitoring and oversight mechanisms advancing digital governance, enhancing transparency, reforming political finance, empowering citizens, ethical training and fostering international cooperation. Together, these strategies reflect a holistic vision that transcends punitive measures and aims to build a resilient and accountable governance framework rooted in ethical integrity.
To effectively curb bribery, a broader set of reforms is essential.听 While the challenge is formidable, several strategies can be employed to curb corruption in Bangladesh.
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Institutional strengthening
JUDICIAL independence must be firmly guaranteed through comprehensive constitutional and institutional reforms that protect judges from political, economic and other external pressures. An autonomous judiciary is essential for upholding the rule of law and fostering public trust in the justice system. Judicial enforcement of anti-corruption laws must be strengthened to restore accountability in public service. Trials involving corrupt officials should be conducted in a timely, transparent, and exemplary manner to serve both justice and deterrence. At present, the weak and inconsistent enforcement of anti-corruption measures allows repeat offenders to act with impunity, undermining public confidence. The currently appointed special judges, entrusted with adjudicating anti-corruption cases under a framework of functional autonomy and fast-track procedures, are expected to significantly expedite the judicial process and strengthen the credibility of the legal system.
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Robust monitoring and oversight mechanisms
A STRONG and effective anti-corruption framework in Bangladesh depends on truly independent and empowered oversight institutions. The Anti-Corruption Commission must be granted full autonomy in both appointments and operations to insulate it from political influence. Its leadership should be selected on merit, and its legal mandate strengthened to enable effective investigation and prosecution of corruption in both the public and private sectors.
To fulfil its mission, the ACC must be equipped with adequate financial resources, trained personnel, digital forensic tools, and the legal authority to act independently. Operational autonomy and strong political will are essential for it to function as more than a symbolic body. Ultimately, the long-term success of anti-corruption efforts will hinge not only on enforcement but also on building a transparent, participatory, and accountable system of governance across Bangladesh.
To enhance deterrence, there should be regular financial audits, unannounced inspections of government offices, and swift, well-publicized penalties for officials found guilty of corruption. Transparency in the enforcement process amplifies accountability and restores public trust.
External oversight is equally vital, particularly in addressing corruption within law enforcement agencies. Independent commissions, ombudsman offices, watchdog groups, or civilian review boards should be instituted or empowered to investigate misconduct, abuse of authority, and financial irregularities. Their findings must be made public and followed by actionable responses.
Moreover, the role of the media and civil society organisations must be safeguarded and institutionalised. Investigative journalism, whistleblower platforms, and public-interest litigation are powerful tools for exposing corruption that may otherwise remain concealed. Legal protections for journalists and activists are essential to ensure they can carry out this watchdog role without fear of intimidation, censorship, or retribution. A free, vibrant civil society acts as a crucial partner in holding power to account and creating a culture of transparency.
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Digital governance
THE expansion of digital governance offers one of the most effective strategies for curbing corruption by minimising human discretion and increasing transparency in public service delivery. By automating procedures such as license issuance, tax filing, permit approvals and procurement processes, digital systems help eliminate the opacity and subjectivity that often enable bribery and favouritism.
Bangladesh鈥檚 a2i (Access to Information) initiative has already made notable progress in this direction, having digitized over 200 public services (UNDP Bangladesh, 2021). This model demonstrates how citizen-focused innovation can simplify bureaucratic procedures and limit direct interactions between service recipients and officials, an environment where rent-seeking behaviour typically thrives.
The benefits of e-governance extend to law enforcement and regulatory bodies as well. Reducing face-to-face interactions in police-citizen encounters through digital platforms 鈥� such as online traffic fine payments, electronic complaint registration, and digital case tracking 鈥� can significantly decrease opportunities for informal payments and abuse of power. Moreover, integrating surveillance technologies like CCTV cameras in police stations, public offices and transport hubs can act as a deterrent to misconduct while enabling oversight of institutional behaviour.
To fully realise the potential of digital governance, efforts must go beyond initial implementation. This includes ensuring inter-agency integration, cybersecurity, digital literacy among citizens and public servants, and the creation of feedback loops that allow for continuous service improvement. Ultimately, e-governance must be institutionalised not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a central pillar of good governance and anti-corruption reform.
Digital governance in Bangladesh must be subject to oversight by an independent monitoring body to ensure that such systems are genuinely serving the public interest. While digitalisation promises efficiency and transparency, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. For instance, there are persistent allegations regarding limited public access to the online services of institutions like the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. Citizens frequently face difficulties in accessing services such as vehicle registration and annual tax token renewals through official digital platforms.
In practice, informal vendors operating with computers just outside BRTA offices have full access to these systems. They exploit the situation by demanding arbitrary fees from service seekers, effectively acting as unauthorized middlemen. This informal layer of intermediaries undermines the very purpose of digitalization and often facilitates collusion between these vendors and some officials within the institution.
A similar pattern is observed in the digital land management system, particularly in the collection of land revenue (khazna), where intermediaries still dominate despite the availability of online services. Recently, the Bangladesh Police introduced an online General Diary system in certain administrative areas, a welcome step towards modern policing. However, for such initiatives to be truly effective, citizens must have easy, secure, and user-friendly access to the digital platforms, particularly the police service dashboard. Without accessible and accountable digital governance, these initiatives risk becoming tools of exclusion rather than empowerment.
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Enhancing transparency and public access to information
TRANSPARENCY is a cornerstone of accountable governance. One of the most effective tools for ensuring transparency is the Right to Information Act (RTI), enacted in Bangladesh in 2009. However, despite its promise, implementation has been limited, with many citizens unaware of their rights or how to use them, and public officials often reluctant to disclose information.
To fully operationalise the RTI framework, a dual approach is needed. First, robust institutional mechanisms must be put in place to enforce timely and accurate disclosure by all government bodies. This includes mandatory publication of key information such as budgets, procurement decisions, project outcomes, and administrative procedures on public websites in accessible formats.
Second, citizen awareness and empowerment are crucial. Mass public education campaigns should be launched to inform citizens about their right to access information, the procedures for filing RTI requests, and the recourse available when access is denied. Civil society organizations, media outlets, and educational institutions can play a key role in raising awareness and building a culture of transparency.
Furthermore, the Information Commission must be strengthened with the autonomy, resources, and authority to penalize non-compliant officials and institutions. Only with rigorous implementation and public engagement can the RTI Act serve as a meaningful check on corruption and arbitrary governance.
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Political reform and campaign finance regulation
CORRUPTION in politics often begins long before a candidate takes office, during the campaign process, where unregulated and opaque campaign financing creates opportunities for illicit influence. To safeguard democracy and ensure fair competition, it is essential to introduce comprehensive campaign finance reforms.
First, there must be clear and enforceable laws governing political donations, spending limits and disclosure requirements. All political parties and candidates should be legally obligated to declare their sources of income, campaign contributions, and expenditures, both during and after election periods. These disclosures should be audited by an independent body and made accessible to the public.
Second, independent electoral oversight bodies must be empowered and free from political influence. These institutions should be tasked with monitoring compliance, conducting regular audits, investigating violations, and imposing meaningful penalties for breaches.
Additionally, there is a need to reduce the cost of electoral competition to prevent politics from becoming a game for the wealthy and well-connected. Public financing of elections, equitable media access, and transparent political advertising rules can help level the playing field.
Ultimately, reforming campaign finance is not just about curbing corruption鈥攊t鈥檚 about restoring public trust in the democratic process and ensuring that elected officials are accountable to voters, not to vested interests who bankroll their rise to power.
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Citizen engagement and whistleblower protection
AN EFFECTIVE anti-corruption strategy must place citizens at the centre of accountability efforts. Empowering individuals to report wrongdoing, demand transparency, and participate in governance is crucial to breaking the culture of impunity.
Whistleblower protection mechanisms must be strengthened and actively enforced. Many potential whistleblowers remain silent out of fear 鈥� fear of retaliation, job loss, harassment or legal repercussions. To address this, the government must implement robust laws that guarantee confidentiality, provide legal immunity, and ensure physical and professional protection for individuals who expose corruption or misconduct. Dedicated whistleblower units within oversight bodies, along with secure reporting channels such as hotlines and encrypted digital platforms, can further encourage safe disclosures.
Alongside protection, there must be sustained efforts in civic education and public awareness. Citizens need to be informed not only about the costs and manifestations of corruption but also about their rights, available complaint mechanisms, and the tools at their disposal to hold authorities accountable. Nationwide anti-corruption awareness campaigns 鈥� especially in schools, universities and local communities 鈥� can foster a culture of integrity and resilience.
Moreover, citizens access to grievance redress mechanisms must be ensured. These systems should be easily accessible, responsive and supported by legal aid services, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations. People must have confidence that their complaints will be heard, investigated, and acted upon without bias.
A more engaged citizenry also plays a critical role in community-level oversight. Encouraging civic participation through local governance structures, participatory budgeting, social audits, and community monitoring initiatives enables citizens to oversee public service delivery and resource allocation. These grassroots mechanisms not only enhance transparency but also promote a sense of ownership and responsibility among the public.
Ultimately, the fight against corruption cannot be won by institutions alone; it requires an informed, empowered, and protected citizenry that is actively involved in shaping and safeguarding democratic governance.
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International cooperation and political commitment
TO EFFECTIVELY combat corruption and foster a culture of integrity, Bangladesh must align itself with international norms and best practices. Active engagement with global frameworks 鈥� particularly the United Nations Convention against Corruption 鈥� offers both a road map and a platform for reform. By fully adopting and implementing UNCAC provisions, Bangladesh can enhance its legal and policy frameworks in line with internationally recognized standards on transparency, accountability, asset recovery, and cross-border cooperation.
Participation in such frameworks also brings opportunities for technical assistance, peer review, capacity building, and multilateral partnerships, which are vital for addressing the increasingly complex and transnational nature of corruption. In addition, engagement with international bodies sends a strong signal of commitment to both domestic and foreign stakeholders, improving the country鈥檚 governance image and potentially attracting more responsible investment and development aid.
However, no international framework can substitute for genuine political will. Without strong leadership and a clear commitment to reform, anti-corruption efforts will remain superficial. Political authorities must go beyond rhetorical promises and ensure that anti-corruption laws are applied uniformly and impartially, including against high-ranking officials, political elites, and their networks.
In particular, administrative reforms in high-risk sectors 鈥� such as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, the police, land administration and public procurement 鈥� must be prioritised. These are areas where citizens frequently encounter corruption in their daily lives. Reform efforts should focus on simplifying procedures, digitizing services, enhancing oversight, and instituting strict penalties for misconduct. Leadership at the highest levels must endorse and actively support these reforms, signalling that corruption is neither tolerated nor immune to consequence, regardless of rank or influence.
Ultimately, a combination of international alignment and domestic political courage is necessary to root out entrenched corruption and build a governance system that is just, effective, and trusted by all.
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Ethical training and shift in professional culture
PROMOTING integrity within the public sector requires more than legal frameworks and punitive measures 鈥� it demands a fundamental shift in professional culture and a strong emphasis on ethical training. All government officers, regardless of rank or role, must undergo continuous education in ethical conduct, human rights, and citizen-focused service standards. While such training often begins at the entry level, it must continue throughout an officer鈥檚 career to reinforce a consistent commitment to honesty, fairness and the responsibilities of public service.
This ongoing ethical development should be embedded into the performance management system, ensuring that ethical behaviour becomes a norm rather than an exception. In addition to holding corrupt officials accountable, the government should actively promote a culture of integrity by introducing positive incentives. Officers who consistently demonstrate professionalism, transparency, and dedication to the public good should be publicly acknowledged, fast-tracked for promotions, and given meaningful rewards. This recognition not only reinforces ethical conduct but also helps build morale and create role models within the bureaucracy. Over time, such measures can cultivate an institutional culture where public service is seen as a noble calling, grounded in accountability and ethical responsibility.
Corruption in Bangladesh is deeply entrenched but not insurmountable. It poses a significant threat to economic progress, democratic consolidation, and social justice. While institutional weaknesses and political will are major hurdles, a comprehensive approach combining legal reform, institutional strengthening, digital governance, civic empowerment, and international collaboration can pave the way for meaningful change. Bangladesh must act decisively to break the cycle of corruption and create a culture of integrity, accountability and transparency.
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Dr Md Motiar Rahman is a retired deputy inspector general of police.