106 millionaires contesting in upazila polls' 3rd phase: TIB
18 people who have close ties with ministers or MPs became candidates in the third phase of the upazila elections
The third phase of the upazila polls have 106 millionaire candidates, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said today (27 May) after analysing their affidavits.
Additionally, 18 candidates have close links to ministers or MPs despite warnings from the ruling Awami League high-ups against such candidacies, the anti-graft watchdog said at a press conference at its office. This number was 17 in the second phase and 13 in the first phase.
In the third phase, a total of 1,419 candidates are contesting in 111 upazilas slated for 29 May.
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Like the previous phases, the majority of the candidates in the third phase of the upazila polls are businessmen, according to TIB.
Their analysis reveals that approximately 37% of the candidates have an income below Tk3.5 lakh, indicating they have no taxable earnings. In contrast, 10.5% of candidates report an income exceeding Tk16 lakh.
Over the past decade, the income of previously elected local representatives has increased by 681.37% and their movable assets by 1010.12%.
In addition, the incomes of 74 candidates have increased by 100% or more compared to that in 2019. Among them, the wealth of Nurul Alam, who is contesting for the chairman post in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, increased the most – by 10,422%.
Also, 227 of the total candidates in the 3rd phase UZ elections are accused in different cases.
SAM Siddique, chairman candidate of Kalihati upazila of Tangail, is at the top of the list, with 27 cases pending in his name.
