Disclose your income-asset statements

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Wednesday called upon the newly appointed chairman and commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to proactively disclose their income and asset statements for ensuring accountability and transparency, reports UNB.

TIB also encouraged the ACC high-ups to clarify their positions on corruption allegations and disclose any political affiliations, said a press release.

The Bangladeshi branch of Transparency International stressed the need for executing their obligations with honesty and integrity firmly, in line with the anti-discrimination movement's core values and the massive sacrifices that created scope for building a "New Bangladesh."

Commenting on the roles and responsibilities of the new ACC leadership, TIB's Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, "At this pivotal moment of the nation's history when ACC is at the main focus of public expectations, we call upon the top leadership of the ACC to proactively disclose the following (matters) as examples of pledges of their own transparency and accountability."

The issues include information regarding income and assets of their own and immediate family members held under direct or beneficial ownership; consistency between income from legitimate sources and accumulated wealth or assets; steps to be taken to verify the accuracy, adequacy, and consistency of income and asset statements by an independent auditor, stance on any published or unpublished allegations of abuse of power, irregularities and corruption during their professional careers; details about any direct or indirect partisan political allegiance; and a formal declaration of preparedness to voluntarily resign and undergo due legal investigation in the event of any inconsistencies in the above matters.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman urged the newly appointed ACC Chairman and Commissioners to remain fully committed and respectful to the core values of the anti-discrimination movement and the vision of the "New Bangladesh."

He also called on them to pledge their unwavering commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities with the utmost integrity.