Published: 09 June 2024
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has unveiled significant findings following a comprehensive analysis of affidavits submitted by candidates in the recent 6th Upazila Parishad elections and the preceding 4th and 5th iterations. The findings, disclosed at a press conference on the ‘Know Your Candidate (KYC)’ analysis reports held at the TIB head office on Sunday, highlight potential discrepancy in wealth reporting, connections to power and profit, and unusual growth in the wealth of incumbent candidates. This event marked the fourth phase of TIB's analysis on the Upazila Parishad elections.
The analysis has brought to light that many candidates have significantly underreported their assets in their election affidavits. Such discrepancies are considered irregularities that could result in the Election Commission canceling a candidate's nomination. One notable instance involved a candidate with a discrepancy exceeding BDT 200 crores between his income tax return and the election affidavit.
TIB’s analysis has also revealed a clear correlation between wealth accumulation and power retention. The data indicates that incumbent candidates are significantly more likely to amass wealth compared to new candidates who have not been previously elected. TIB has characterized this trend as evidence that politics has strayed from serving the public interest, shifting its focus instead towards personal gain and profit.
Elected public representatives have also seen their income multiply many times over during their time in office.
The findings by TIB have also spotlighted the issue of increasing movable assets among elected officials. Comparisons between previous and recent elections reveal that movable assets have increased threefold on average.
In addition to the unusual increase in assets of the candidates themselves, TIB has revealed that the spouses or dependents of these candidates have also seen their assets multiply manifold.
Considering such an unusual rise in income and assets, coupled with instances of party directives being flouted in grassroots elections, TIB has commented that the motivation to participate in these elections is driven by the opportunity to accumulate illegal wealth without accountability by abusing power. TIB has expressed concern that this trend undermines democratic processes, even within party lines.
TIB asserts that the Know Your Candidate (KYC) dashboard is a ‘gold mine’ for information on irregularities. The anti-corruption organization calls on law enforcement agencies, the Election Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Board of Revenue to study the discrepancies highlighted in the findings and take appropriate action.
The Know Your Candidate (KYC) dashboard can be accessed here - https://ti-bangladesh.org/kyc
