Free Public Offices from Political Influence

We find it highly disturbing that politicisation and corruption continue to challenge the neutrality and effectiveness of our public institutions. A recent media report on Khandaker Mahbub Alam, Additional Chief Engineer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), highlights a wider concern. According to the report, complaints submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and government authorities have raised serious doubts about his political connections, career progression, influence over development projects and, of course, his personal wealth. 

However, the allegations underscore the need for larger scrutiny of our public officials and stronger safeguards against political and personal influence in public offices.

It was mentioned in the report that the additional chief engineer rose through several DNCC posts before becoming superintendent engineer (Civil) in 2019 and given charge as additional chief engineer in March 2026. His association with the pro-Awami League Bangabandhu Engineers Council and alleged influence over tenders and development projects have also drawn attention. Complaints have questioned the allocation of nearly Tk600 crore from the approximately Tk822 crore DRSP project and his alleged ownership of several apartments, shops and expensive vehicles.

The consequences of such practices, however, can extend well beyond individual cases. When political connections influence career advancement, they can discourage capable officials and create a culture that rewards loyalty over professionalism. Meanwhile, undue influence over procurement and development projects can badly influence allocation of public resources. Poorly scrutinised tenders may increase costs, while questionable appointments and weak transparency can undermine institutional capacity and service delivery. 

Need of the hour demands to introduce urgent institutional reforms rather than selective action. We believe recruitment and promotion should follow clear, merit-based criteria, while officials handling procurement and major development projects should face stronger conflict-of-interest rules and regular asset declarations. Moreover, the ACC and other oversight bodies must have sufficient independence and capacity to examine allegations without political interference. Against this backdrop, procurement processes should be transparent, decisions properly documented and internal audit systems strengthened. Even so, political affiliation should not, by itself, be considered evidence of misconduct. Any action against an official should be based on credible evidence of abuse of authority, corruption or improper personal gain.

We expect the government to materialise its commitment to depoliticise into a durable change in the culture of public service. Allegations involving Mahbub should be dealt with through established procedures, without bias or political pressure. More importantly, this should be an opportunity to restore professionalism as the defining principle of public administration. Officials should feel confident that their careers will depend on their work, not their connections, while citizens should be assured that public authority is exercised in their interest. Only by creating such an environment can the government make its institutions worthy of lasting public trust.