Election Commission hostage to business-based politics: TIB
"TIB has credible information linking a declared dependent of one candidate to a house purchased in the United Kingdom in 2013 for £1.4 million, equivalent to Tk210 crore, which was not disclosed in the candidate’s affidavit," said its Director Iftekharuzzaman.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said there are transparency gaps in the affidavits submitted by candidates for the 13th national parliamentary election.
"Moreover, when the Election Commission undertook reforms to election laws, business-based politics was among the forces to which it remained hostage," he said while speaking at a press conference at the TIB office today (22 January) to release a report titled Candidate Profiles in Electoral Affidavits 2026.
Questioning the credibility of information provided in the affidavits, Iftekharuzzaman said 21 candidates hold dual citizenship. Although they have declared renunciation of foreign citizenship, TIB has information indicating that two of them still retain British citizenship.
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He further said TIB has credible information linking a declared dependent of one candidate to a house purchased in the United Kingdom in 2013 for £1.4 million, equivalent to Tk210 crore, which was not disclosed in the candidate's affidavit.
According to reliable information, TIB said a shell company was used to purchase the property, with ownership registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He also said that while one candidate did not disclose any personal overseas assets, the candidate owns a flat in Dubai in his wife's name.
The TIB executive director further said the number of candidates from Islamic parties has increased significantly in the current election, accounting for more than 36% of total candidates—the highest share among the last five elections. As in previous elections, women's participation has again failed to meet the 5% target.
In the current election, women account for 4.2% of candidates, or 80 individuals. He said economic and religious factors are the main reasons behind political parties' failure to ensure greater female representation.
Speaking on liabilities, he said about 25.5% of candidates in the 13th parliamentary election have some form of loan or financial liability. The total amount of candidates' liabilities stands at Tk18,868.52 crore.
Although the proportion of indebted candidates is the lowest among the last five elections, the total volume of their liabilities is the highest, with bank loans amounting to Tk17,471.67 crore.
