Participants in a workshop of Transparency International of Bangladesh (TIB) held in Barisal have demanded inclusion of term of resignation for the elected lawmakers in case of failure to fulfil their election promises.
The workshop on preparing 'Citizens' charter about parliament and members of parliament' was held at Celebration Point Auditorium of the city on Saturday night.
TIB Executive Director Dr Ifterkharuzzaman presented the keynote paper containing background and results of the research works conducted in 32 constituencies by 25 groups of TIB.
Quorum crisis due to absence of MPs forced to adjourn sessions of parliament on many occasions and ineffectiveness of the parliamentary committees resulted in failure to ensure accountability and transparency of the governments, he said.
Quality for parliament membership, transparency and accountability of MPs, role of the Speaker of parliament, MPs' right to cross the floor, people's right to get information about MPs, and role of people, political parties and Election Commission in nominating candidates for parliament elections came up in the discussion.
An MP candidate must be a voter in the constituency concerned while honest, competent, patriotic, accountable persons should contest in the elections, speakers said at the workshop.
Lawmakers should participate in regular face-to-face programmes with people to maintain their accountability and transparency, they said.
They urged formation of election conduct rules with provision for resignation of MPs in case of failure to fulfil their election promises.
TIB sources said they will prepare a 'citizens' charter about parliament and members of parliament' following suggestions collected by the research groups and 13 workshops conducted throughout the country.
Among others, Barisal City Corporation mayor-elect advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron and Mayor-in-charge Awlad Hossain Dilu took part in the discussion attended by over one hundred participants from different professions and walks of life.
Advocate Manabendra Batobayal, convener of Barisal Conscious Citizens' Committee, the local chapter of the TIB, presided over the workshop.