The ruling party exercises an exclusive monopoly on power in parliamentary activities, according to a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report.
Parliament lost Tk 22.08 million in monetary value of time because of quorum crisis (19.26 hours) throughout one to five sessions, it revealed.
The report styled 'Parliament Watch' is based on the first five sessions of the 11th national assembly.
It said the loss of time was 17.3 per cent of the total 61 session days spanning from January to December.
The average quorum crisis per working day was 19 minutes.
The TIB unveiled the report during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. TIB deputy programme managers Nihar Ranjan Roy and Morsheda Akter presented it.
According to the report, the ruling party achieved absolute majority through the questionable and controversial 11th parliamentary election.
This has resulted in the party's monopoly on power in parliamentary activities (legislation, budget and standing committee), it stated.
As one of the grand alliance parties has become the main opposition in parliament, the report said, it is lacking in playing its role in establishing the government's accountability.
"In some cases, members of the main opposition sharply criticised other opposition members while other opposition members were relatively more active in criticising government's controversial activities."
The participation of lawmakers is low in the discussions of legislation, although it is their most important duty, the report observed.
It shows their reluctance and lack of skills.
According to the report, only 9.0 per cent of the total time was spent on law enactment.
"Sixteen government bills (excluding budget bills) were passed during the sessions. Of them, six were amended laws. On average, around 32 minutes were spent on passing each bill," it cited.
Also, most of the parliamentary committees lack in bringing out the effective accountability of the ministries concerned, the report stated.
The lack of the Speaker's strong role in conducting parliamentary activities and taking action against errant MPs is also observed.
Discussions on sustainable development aspirations and goals are not satisfactory in parliament as well, reads the report.
It shows 61 per cent of the members of the current parliament are businessmen.
Among others, 13 per cent are lawyers, 5.0 per cent politicians and 21 per cent from other professions (teachers, doctors, farmers, retired government and military officers, housewives and consultants).
Highlighting academic qualifications, it said about 77-per cent elected MPs are graduates, postgraduates or above, 12 per cent are HSC equivalent, 11 per cent have SSC or lower academic education.
TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said parliamentary activities are not effective in formulating budgets and laws.
"The opposition party didn't show strong participation in the election. Instances are rare that standing committees have played an effective role," he said.
The TIB put forward a set of recommendations to make parliament more effective.
The suggestions included making national elections participatory, fair and neutral in the real sense and amending article 70 to allow members to express their voice and take position against the party line.
The TIB report also called for enacting the 'MPs' Code of Conduct Bill' with necessary changes.
It recommended that parliament ensure active participation of the opposition party in the parliamentary process instead of continuing with the exercise of a monopolised decision-making process by the ruling party.
It advocated orientation for MPs to increase effective participation in parliamentary affairs and an easily communicable 'guidebook' for them on the rules of procedure, including a list of expunged words.
"The Speaker should play a strong role in issuing ruling in order to prevent the use of unparliamentary language and maintain order in the sessions," it cited.
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