Even as Bangladesh’s economy faces challenges with rising prices and low wages, 28% of candidates in the upcoming general elections are reported to possess significant assets, with some even owning properties overseas. Islamic parties have notably fielded a large number of candidates, as per Bangladesh’s Business Standard. Transparency International Bangladesh shared these findings after analyzing candidates’ profiles and election affidavits.
The election scheduled for February 12 will witness 1,981 candidates competing for 298 seats, with a majority of them being first-time contenders. Among the 560 aspirants, a significant number have assets valued in crores of Bangladeshi taka. Male candidates overwhelmingly dominate this figure, constituting 95.98%, while a few female candidates are part of different political alliances.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated candidates in 285 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance has candidates in 243 seats. Notably, the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remains unrepresented due to political restrictions and leaders in exile, despite calls for equal representation.
A record number of candidates in Bangladesh’s electoral history possess assets exceeding a crore Bangladeshi taka, with 124 candidates reporting an annual income of Tk 1 crore or more. A significant portion of candidates faces criminal charges, with 530 currently involved in legal proceedings, and 740 having past cases against them.
Regarding citizenship and foreign connections, 21 candidates previously held dual citizenship but have renounced it. Additionally, 31 candidates reported income from foreign sources, and 17 declared owning assets abroad. The analysis revealed that most candidates fall within the 25-54 age group, with an average age of 51, the lowest in previous elections.
In terms of education, a majority of candidates hold undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, marking a significant proportion compared to past elections. The number of candidates from teaching and legal backgrounds has increased, with a majority reporting bank loans. BNP candidates particularly have high levels of indebtedness, with eight of the top ten most indebted candidates belonging to the party.
Candidates have collectively declared an election expenditure of Tk 463.7 crore for the upcoming polls, with an average spending per candidate of Tk 22.5 lakh. Notably, 259 candidates reported expenditures below the average amount, as per the analysis.
