A total of 94 chairman candidates contesting the first phase of the 6th Upazila Parishad (UZ) election are multi-millionaires, according to a report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The TIB disclosed this information while presenting a report analysing the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission (EC) by the candidates in 144 upazilas.

The analysis of the affidavits also revealed that only 7% of candidates in the first phase of UZ elections are multi-millionaires based on their movable assets. In addition, around 9% of candidates have movable assets of less than a crore BDT.

Among the aspirants for chairman posts, a total of 94 candidates are multi-millionaires, marking an almost threefold increase compared to the previous election (37 multi-millionaires in the 5th UZ election).

For vice-chairman posts, 17 candidates are multi-millionaires, while 6 candidates among women vice-chairman aspirants fall into this category. In both cases, the numbers have increased almost threefold.

Moreover, 198 chairman candidates earn a minimum of a million BDT per annum, constituting 35.23 percent of the total candidates. This figure is almost 2.5 times higher than that of the election held five years ago.

The analysis of the affidavits also highlights that at least 9 candidates own more land than the legal limit of 100 bigha or 33 acres.

Furthermore, 23.41% of candidates have loans or liabilities, with the highest amount of loans reported at BDT 1,528 crore. The analysis also indicates that 16.64% of candidates in the first phase of the upazila elections have been accused in legal cases.

BDST: 2059 HRS, MAY 6, 2024
MSK