The Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners (ECs) to step down for alleged involvement in fund irregularities.
The anti-corruption watchdog came up with the statement on Tuesday following publication of a newspaper report on fund irregularities.
The newspaper report claimed that the election commissioners and high officials of EC took Tk 20 million in the name of conducting workshops across the country before December 30 national elections and local government elections.
According to the statement, the TIB also demanded a proper investigations into the allegations in order to uphold the reputation and dignity of the constitutional body.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said in the statement that the election commission failed to meet people's expectation in the recent elections.
"Besides, such allegations against the election commission will diminish people’s confidence towards the by the CEC and ECs, who are holding constitutional positions," the statement said.
Terming the matter as unethical and unfortunate, the TIB executive director said that it is clear violation of law, misuse of power and utter corruption in taking money without attending in the workshops.
"And, it is an unprecedented in the history of independent Bangladesh,” he claimed.
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