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“Training for information officers and other RTI-related activities is moving at a sluggish pace. As a result, the free flow of information in state institutions is not ensured, while secrecy and reluctance to proactively disclose information continue across government offices,” he said.

“Although the RTI Act was passed and the Information Commission established as a statutory independent body, the law was never effectively implemented due to a lack of political will and the authoritarian government’s visible reluctance,” he said.

“On one hand, there was no coordinated initiative between government and non-government actors; on the other, some commissioners appointed over the years acted as carriers of partisan ideology.”

“Consequently, the commission failed to play an effective role. As a result, the Act has not set any notable precedent for promoting transparency and accountability in public service institutions or beyond,” he also said.

TIB proposed a number of reforms in this regard, which include bringing political parties and privately owned institutions under the RTI Act; requiring parties to disclose detailed accounts of their income and expenditures, with the Election Commission publishing this information proactively and on time; and abolishing surveillance mechanisms imposed on citizens through the misuse of repressive laws, among others.