Sylhet candidates lean heavily on local, expat donations ahead of Feb polls

In the upcoming national election, candidates across Sylhet's six constituencies are increasingly relying on donations and loans from relatives and expatriates to fund their campaigns, according to their official nomination papers and expenditure statements.

Across Sylhet's six constituencies, 34 candidates are competing, with 25 planning to cover campaign costs from donations or loans. Only nine candidates intend to spend solely from personal income. Most donors, particularly for expatriate-heavy constituencies, are based abroad.

Sylhet-1 (Metropolitan and Sadar)

Eight candidates are contesting. Among them, only Habibur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami will spend a probable electoral expenditure of Tk30 lakh entirely from his own income.

BNP's candidate, industrialist Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, tops the constituency in declared wealth, with total assets of Tk34.36 crore. According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission (EC), he has declared a probable electoral expenditure of Tk55 lakh, of which Tk25 lakh will come from his personal funds, and the remaining Tk30 lakh from his wife, brother-in-law, and nephew.

Mahmudul Hasan of Islami Andolan Bangladesh will spend Tk1.2 lakh from his own income, Tk2.9 lakh received from an expatriate uncle, and Tk4.8 lakh from donations by party leaders and workers.

Akmal Hossain of Ganadhikar Parishad will spend Tk7 lakh earned from business, and Tk5 lakh received as donations. Mohammad Anwar Hossain of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) will spend Tk1 lakh from his own income, Tk3 lakh from expatriate relatives, and Tk1 lakh from party members and supporters.

Pranab Jyoti Pal of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Basad) will spend Tk50,000 lakh from his personal funds, Tk50,000 received as donations from well-wishers, and Tk2.5 lakh collected through party fundraising. Sanjay Kanta Das of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) will spend Tk4 lakh from tuition income and Tk2 lakh from donations.

Shamim Mia of Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh will spend Tk5 lakh from his business and bank interest income. In addition, he will spend Tk11 lakh received as donations from expatriates and Tk10 lakh collected from 12 other contributors.

Sylhet-2 (Bishwanath and Osmani Nagar)

All five candidates in Sylhet-2 have declared reliance on contributions from expatriates for their probable electoral expenditure. BNP's Tahsina Rushdi Luna plans to spend Tk20 lakh, including Tk5 lakh from personal income, Tk5 lakh borrowed from her brother-in-law, and Tk10 lakh from two expatriates, Mohammad Abdul Quddus and Mohammad Jamal.

Muhammad Muntasir Ali of Khelafat Majlis has declared a probable expenditure of Tk25 lakh, comprising Tk10.55 lakh from personal funds and the remainder from expatriate contributions and loans.

Jatiya Party's Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury will spend Tk11 lakh, of which Tk10 lakh will come from his UK-based son. Amir Uddin of Islami Andolan Bangladesh will spend Tk63,000 from his own income, Tk80,000 borrowed from two expatriate brothers, and Tk2.3 lakh from donations received from party leaders and workers.

Ganoforum's Mujibul Haque plans a probable electoral expenditure of Tk20 lakh, including Tk5 lakh from personal and party funds, Tk12 lakh from expatriate relatives, and Tk3 lakh from loans and additional donations.

Sylhet-3 (South Surma, Fenchuganj, and Balaganj)

Six candidates are contesting in Sylhet-3. BNP's MA Malik plans to spend Tk20 lakh from personal income, supplemented by funds from his UK-based son.

Independent Moinul Baker's probable electoral expenditure is Tk47 lakh, comprising Tk5 lakh from personal income, Tk10 lakh from relatives and supporters abroad, Tk12 lakh from expatriate well-wishers, and Tk20 lakh from the sale of property.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Redwanul Haque Chowdhury will spend Tk5.88 lakh, including Tk68,500 from personal income, Tk3 lakh from two expatriate brothers, and Tk2.2 lakh in party donations.

Three will rely entirely on personal funds: Musleh Uddin Raju of Khelafat Majlis plans a probable electoral expenditure of Tk59.01 lakh, independent Mostakim Raja Chowdhury Tk40 lakh, and Jatiya Party's Mohammad Atikur Rahman Tk20 lakh.

Sylhet-4 (Companiganj, Gowainghat, and Jaintiapur)

Five candidates are contesting, with varied sources of funding. BNP's Ariful Haque Chowdhury will spend Tk35 lakh entirely from personal income, whereas Jamaat-e-Islami's Zainal Abedin plans Tk23 lakh, comprising Tk20 lakh from personal income and Tk3 lakh voluntarily contributed by his father.

Jatiya Party's Mohammad Mujibur Rahman will spend Tk5 lakh, Gono Odhikar Parishad's Zahirul Islam will spend Tk10 lakh, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Saeed Ahmed will spend Tk11.4 lakh, including Tk3.5 lakh from an expatriate supporter.

Sylhet-5 (Zakiganj and Kanaighat)

Four candidates will compete in the constituency. Independent candidate and recently expelled BNP leader Mamunur Rashid, a wealthy businessman, will rely entirely on donations from others, planning to spend Tk25 lakh, fully funded by his doctor brother, Kawsar Rashid.

Other candidates include Jamiyat-e-Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh's Ubaydullah Faruq, who will spend Tk12 lakh, with Tk2 lakh from personal income and the remainder from expatriate relatives; Khelafat Majlis's Mohammad Abul Hasan, allocating Tk3 lakh from personal funds, Tk5 lakh from an expatriate brother-in-law, and Tk17 lakh from nine supporters; and Bangladesh Muslim League's Mohammad Bilal Uddin, who will spend Tk5 lakh.

Sylhet-6 (Beanibazar and Golapganj)

Among the five candidates, four will rely on a combination of personal funds and expatriate donations, while one will spend entirely from personal income.

BNP's Emran Ahmed Chowdhury plans to spend Tk65 lakh, including Tk15 lakh from personal income, Tk35 lakh from a France-based supporter, and Tk15 lakh from expatriate cousins and a domestic relative. Jamaat's Mohammad Selim Uddin plans Tk24.013 lakh, of which Tk8.5 lakh will come from external donations.

Jatiya Party's Mohammad Abdun Noor will allocate Tk25 lakh, with Tk22 lakh coming from relatives abroad. Independent Fakhrul Islam will spend Tk24 lakh, including Tk20 lakh from his brother abroad. Ganadhikar Parishad's Zahidur Rahman will spend Tk25 lakh entirely from his own funds.