Bangladesh’s anti-corruption awareness and prevention efforts are set to reach the grassroots level as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) plans to establish Corruption Prevention Committees at the union level across the country.
The initiative has been incorporated into the proposed budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year and is expected to significantly broaden public participation in anti-corruption activities.
Expanding Anti-Corruption Efforts Nationwide
Currently, Corruption Prevention Committees operate at metropolitan, district, and upazila levels. Under the new plan, the program will be extended to unions, bringing organized anti-corruption activities closer to local communities.
Officials involved in the initiative believe that the expansion will strengthen public awareness, encourage citizen engagement, and enhance social resistance against corruption at the grassroots level.
Anti-corruption advocates also expect the move to promote a culture of integrity, ethics, accountability, and good governance throughout society.
Experts Welcome the Initiative
Commenting on the development, Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), described the decision as a positive step.
He said that union-level committees could play an important role in raising awareness among citizens and encouraging greater public involvement in combating corruption.
However, he emphasized the importance of evaluating the performance of similar committees established in the past before implementing the new structure.
According to him, lessons learned from previous challenges should be used to create a more effective and sustainable framework, increasing the likelihood of success.
Committee Structure and Eligibility
Under ACC guidelines, each union-level Corruption Prevention Committee will consist of seven members, including a chairperson and other designated members. At least one-third of the committee members must be women.
Members will be selected from among respected, socially conscious, and volunteer-minded citizens of the community.
The ACC constitution outlines several disqualifications for membership. Foreign nationals, elected public representatives, government employees, active political party members, individuals declared mentally incompetent by a court, bankrupt persons, loan defaulters, and those accused or convicted of criminal offenses are not eligible to serve on these committees.
Focus on Awareness Rather Than Punishment Alone
ACC Secretary Mohammad Khaled Rahim stated that punitive measures alone are not enough to curb corruption.
He explained that the commission’s goal is to create greater public awareness at the grassroots level by expanding preventive activities throughout the country. According to him, combining legal enforcement with social awareness can make anti-corruption efforts more effective and sustainable.
Existing Activities and Achievements
According to information available on the ACC’s official platform, existing Corruption Prevention Committees consist of up to 13 members at metropolitan and district levels and up to nine members at the upazila level.
These committees regularly organize discussions, essay and debate competitions, rallies, human chains, seminars, theatrical performances, and various public awareness campaigns.
Data from 2025 indicate that more than 500 Corruption Prevention Committees were active nationwide at metropolitan, district, and upazila levels. During the year, they organized over 1,500 discussion programs, more than 1,000 debate competitions, and hundreds of rallies, human chains, and other awareness-building activities.
Potential Benefits for Local Communities
If implemented effectively, union-level committees could directly benefit ordinary citizens by helping to reduce irregularities and corruption in local public services.
Experts believe these committees could play a valuable role in monitoring and promoting transparency in areas such as old-age allowances, widow benefits, social safety net programs, agricultural support distribution, and other government services delivered at the local level.
By bringing anti-corruption initiatives closer to communities, the ACC hopes to foster greater accountability and public participation in building a more transparent and responsible governance system.
