Record 891 Feb polls candidates have crores in assets; 17 own properties abroad: TIB
This election will see 1,696 first-time candidates contesting parliamentary seats.
A total of 891 people who sought to contest the upcoming 13th national election have movable and immovable assets worth crores of taka, the highest number recorded in any polls so far, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
The findings, found through TIB's analysis of the profiles of candidates based on their election affidavits filed with the Election Commission, were presented at a press conference at the organisation's office in Dhaka this morning (22 January).
TIB did the analysis based on affidavits filed by 2,286 candidates before the nomination withdrawal deadline and the appeal process ended. After the appeal process ended, nominations of 1,981 candidates were declared valid, and they were allotted electoral symbols yesterday.
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More than 28% of candidates reported an annual income of up to Tk3.75 lakh. A total of 124 candidates declared annual incomes of Tk1 crore or more.
The analysis shows that 58.84% of candidates have declared assets worth less than Tk1 crore.
Meanwhile, 27 candidates are owners of assets worth more than Tk100 crore, considering the combined value of their movable and immovable properties. Of them, 18 are from the BNP, while the remaining nine are independent candidates.
According to the analysis, 587 candidates own immovable properties worth crores, while 560 candidates own movable assets worth crores of taka.
The figure was determined based on the current market value of both types of assets declared in candidates' affidavits, TIB said.
Regarding citizenship and overseas links, 21 candidates previously held dual citizenship but have since renounced it.
A total of 31 candidates reported income from foreign sources, while 17 candidates declared owning assets abroad, according to their affidavits.
TIB analysis showed Islamic parties have fielded the highest number of candidates in terms of party affiliation. Of the total, 4.02% are women, while 95.98% are men. Among female candidates, six are from the Jamaat alliance and 24 from the BNP alliance.
The majority of candidates fall within the 25-54 age bracket. The average age of candidates stands at 51, which is the lowest compared to previous elections.
This election will see 1,696 first-time candidates contesting parliamentary seats.
In terms of education, about 76.42% of candidates hold undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, marking the highest proportion of such candidates in any election to date, according to TIB analysis.
The number of candidates from teaching and legal professions has also increased compared to previous elections.
In addition, 68.05% of candidates reported having bank loans.
The TIB analysis also found that BNP candidates are the most indebted among all parties. According to the data, 59.41% of BNP candidates have bank loans.
Eight of the top 10 most indebted candidates belong to BNP.
The share of indebted candidates is significantly lower in other parties, including independents at 32.79%; Jatiyo Party at 26.99%; Communist Party of Bangladesh at 25%; Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at 22.26%; Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) at 19.23%; Islami Andolan Bangladesh at 16.79%; Gono Odhikar Parishad at 13.80%; Khelafat Majlis at 12.68%; and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at 10.59%.
In terms of legal cases, 530 candidates currently face criminal cases, while 740 candidates had cases against them in the past.
Candidates declared a total election expenditure of Tk463.7 crore for the upcoming polls, with the average spending per candidate standing at Tk22.5 lakh.
The analysis further shows that 259 candidates declared expenditures below the average amount.
