Candidates with Tk1cr asset or above tripled in second phase of upazila polls: TIB
13.13% of the candidates in the second phase are accused in various cases
In the second phase of the ongoing upazila parishad elections, the number of candidates with assets worth Tk1 crore or above has tripled compared to the first phase, and one in every four candidates is in debt, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
Additionally, there are 105 millionaires among the chairman candidates, and about 71% of them are businessmen. Compared to the last upazila parishad election, the number of millionaire candidates has increased.
TIB disclosed the data, derived from an analysis of affidavits of candidates participating in the second phase of the upazila elections, at a press conference held at their office in the capital today (19 May).
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The second phase of upazila parishad elections will be held on 21 May.
According to TIB, 13.13% of the total candidates in the second phase elections are accused in various cases.
In the second phase, there are 1,811 candidates for chairman, vice chairman and women vice chairman in 157 upazilas. Among them, 462 candidates – including 235 chairman candidates, 167 vice chairman candidates, and 60 women vice chairman candidates – are in debt.
TIB also noted the income of the chairman candidates in the second phase election has increased by almost 11,000% in five years. Their movable assets have surged by 11,500% and the assets of their dependents have risen by 12,400%.
Apart from this, it was disclosed that Asaduzzaman, candidate for the chairmanship of Purbadhala, Netrakona, is the most indebted candidate with a loan of Tk310.94 crore. Comilla Sadar Dakshin chairman candidate Mohammad Aktaruzzaman occupies the second position with a debt of Tk99.15 crore and Md Sohag Mia, vice chairman candidate of Pirojpur's Nesarabad is in the third position with a debt of Tk35.87 crore.
According to TIB, 17 relatives of ministers and MPs are candidates for chairmanship in this phase.
The Election Commission published the affidavits of candidates from 157 out of the 160 upazilas where polls will be held in the second phase.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said most of the candidates are from the ruling party, and many are relatives of those in power. The candidates are predominantly male, and most of them are businessmen.
"There appears to be a link between wealth growth and politics. There is a direct correlation between politics, increasing power, and income," he said.
According to TIB, overall 42.49% of the candidates have reported an annual income below Tk3.5 lakh, meaning they have no taxable income. Around 10% of the candidates have reported an income of more than Tk16 lakh.
Comparing the income and wealth growth of candidates who previously won the upazila parishad elections with those who were not elected, it is evident that the income and wealth of the elected candidates have doubled compared to the unelected ones, TIB said.
Not only have the elected candidates seen this increase, but their relatives' income and wealth have also grown proportionately. Additionally, the income and wealth of long-term representatives have increased significantly over time, it added.
