June 15, 2026<\/p>\n
Shamsul Bari<\/a> and Ruhi Naz<\/a><\/p>\n FILE VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN<\/p>\n It is true that observers have so far viewed the performance of the BNP government, which took office in February 2026 following a year-and-a-half-long interim administration, with cautious optimism. But many have been dismayed by the government\u2019s failure to appoint the country\u2019s three information commissioners since the previous ones, like numerous officials serving in comparable institutions, vacated their positions in the aftermath of the July uprising. Nearly four months into its tenure, the government\u2019s continued inaction about restoring the Information Commission to full strength has disappointed those who hoped that the political transition would mark a decisive shift towards more democratic, transparent, and accountable governance.<\/p>\n The much-invoked spirit of the July uprising rekindled hopes for a genuine transformation in governance\u2014one in which citizens\u2019 voices would be respected, the rule of law upheld, and the laws of the land used to advance citizens\u2019 interests rather than suppress them. Among more vigilant citizens, there was also the expectation that their right to know how the government functions would be meaningfully guaranteed through, inter alia, the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2009.<\/p>\n