The number of candidates with assets worth over Tk1 crore has tripled to 116 in the second phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections, according to the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
"Chairman candidates seeking re-election have seen an asset increase of 11,000% over the last five years, with movable assets rising by 11,500% and dependents' assets, including those of wives and others, climbing by 12,400%," stated the anti-graft ogranisation, reviewing the affidavits submitted by candidates for the elections scheduled on May 23.
TIB shared these findings during a press conference at the Midas Convention Centre in Dhaka on Sunday.
It also revealed that 13.13% of the candidates are accused in various cases.
TIB says 1811 candidates are contesting in 157 upazilas across the country in the second phase. Among them, 599 candidates for the chairman position, 689 for vice-chairman, and 533 for women vice-chairman positions.
Notably, Asaduzzman, a chairman candidate from Purbadhala in Netrokona, has the highest amount of loan of Tk310.98 crore, followed by Mohammad Akturazzaman, a chairman candidate from Cumilla Sadar South, with a loan of Tk99.15 crore, and Sohag Miah, a vice-chairman candidate from Necharabad, Pirojpur, with a loan of Tk35.87 crore.
