Jamaat declares highest political income

Staff Reporter :

The Jamaat-e-Islami, which regained its political party registration in 2024 after more than a decade, has declared the highest income and expenditure among all registered political parties for the year, according to financial disclosures made public by the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday.

In its audited report submitted to the EC on July 31, Jamaat reported earning Tk 289.7 million and spending Tk 237.3 million in 2024 – almost twice the income of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and more than 11 times higher than the Jatiya Party’s earnings.

The disclosures show that membership and worker subscriptions were Jamaat’s largest source of income, generating Tk 165.6 million. Other revenue sources were not detailed in the EC’s summary, but the report shows a significant focus on organizational spending. Salaries, allowances, and bonuses for party workers made up the largest single expense category, amounting to Tk 65.7 million.

Jamaat began 2024 with Tk 104.94 million in reserves and ended the year with Tk 157.3 million, indicating a net surplus despite major expenditures. The party’s last financial disclosure before this year was in 2013, shortly before its registration was revoked following a High Court verdict.

Its reinstatement came after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, restoring its legal obligations to submit annual accounts to the EC.

“The party submitted the audit report within the stipulated time,” EC Deputy Secretary Mahbub Alam Shah told reporters, confirming compliance with election laws.

While Jamaat did not contest the 10th, 11th, or 12th parliamentary elections, the financial report reflects a surge in political activity since its re-entry into the formal political arena. The party has already begun naming candidates for the upcoming 13th national polls, signalling its intent to compete after years of absence from electoral contests.

The audit also revealed an unusual financial detail – Jamaat claims it holds no bank account, despite managing hundreds of millions in income and expenses. The EC did not immediately comment on whether this practice aligns with financial transparency requirements for political parties.

By comparison, the BNP declared an income of Tk 156.59 million and expenditures of Tk 48 million in 2024, ending the year with Tk 108.59 million in reserves. The Jatiya Party reported earning Tk 26.44 million, spending Tk 17.99 million, and closing with Tk 8.45 million.

The EC’s disclosure of political party finances comes at a time of heightened public interest in the funding and operations of Bangladesh’s major parties, as the country moves toward the next general election under the interim administration.