No objection if convicts can contest polls legally: ACC
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said Saturday his Commission had no objection if the convicted corrupt individuals get the opportunity to contest the elections legally, reports UNB.
He, however, said the government and the Election Commission (EC) would have to take the responsibility if they got the chance to be candidates in the elections under any pressure.
The ACC chairman made the remarks while talking to reporters after a discussion titled 'Fight against corruption: Our goal' organised by BRAC University at its auditorium.
Replying to a question about participation in elections by convicts, Gen Mashhud said he did not believe there would be any negative effect on the anti-corruption drive for one or two reasons.
Asked if the ACC was under any pressure, he said there was a pressure under every government but it was to be seen if they could work being free from pressure.
Responding to a query, he said the anti-graft watchdog was formulating a plan as to how they would work under the new government to come in after the election. There might be a need for new thoughts, he added.
The ACC chairman said the anti-corruption campaign would go on during the tenure of the next government.
Earlier, he told the discussion that it was not possible to eradicate corruption from Bangladesh overnight and it was political goodwill that could free the country from the vice.
He, however, said the government and the Election Commission (EC) would have to take the responsibility if they got the chance to be candidates in the elections under any pressure.
The ACC chairman made the remarks while talking to reporters after a discussion titled 'Fight against corruption: Our goal' organised by BRAC University at its auditorium.
Replying to a question about participation in elections by convicts, Gen Mashhud said he did not believe there would be any negative effect on the anti-corruption drive for one or two reasons.
Asked if the ACC was under any pressure, he said there was a pressure under every government but it was to be seen if they could work being free from pressure.
Responding to a query, he said the anti-graft watchdog was formulating a plan as to how they would work under the new government to come in after the election. There might be a need for new thoughts, he added.
The ACC chairman said the anti-corruption campaign would go on during the tenure of the next government.
Earlier, he told the discussion that it was not possible to eradicate corruption from Bangladesh overnight and it was political goodwill that could free the country from the vice.