Special Correspondent :
The tide of wealth within the echelons of governance has swelled, with Upazila Parishad chairmen witnessing a remarkable surge in their moveable or liquid assets, surpassing even the notable escalation observed among Members of Parliament (MPs) in their preceding five-year tenures, as attested by affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) unveiled its latest research findings, highlighting a staggering uptick in the number of candidates, particularly in the inaugural phase of upazila elections, boasting moveable or liquid assets of at least Tk 1 crore each—a figure that has more than doubled within the span of five years.
This unveiling unfolded during a press conference held at the Dhanmondi office in the city, where the TIB underscored the astonishing ascent in the financial fortunes of Upazila chairmen, registering an astronomical surge of over 4,200 percent.
Remarkably, this surge eclipses the notable 3,065 percent surge observed in the wealth of MPs over the same period.
The revelation emanated from a meticulous analysis of affidavits submitted to the Election Commission by candidates vying for positions in 144 upazilas.
According to the comprehensive report unveiled by TIB, a remarkable 117 candidates, encompassing contenders for chairman, vice-chairman, and women’s vice-chairman positions, have emerged in the forefront of the upcoming polls, wielding moveable assets valued at a minimum of Tk 1 crore.
This elite cadre constitutes a formidable 7 percent of the total aspirants, signifying a notable shift in the financial profiles of aspiring leaders.
However, amidst this wave of affluence, the report also reveals a poignant reality; a staggering 93 percent of candidates find themselves nestled within a realm where assets fall below the illustrious Tk 1 crore mark.
Adding a layer of intrigue to this electoral narrative, a total of 26 chairmen, vice-chairmen, and women chairmen have clinched victory unopposed in the sixth phase of the Upazila Parishad election.
In a comparative glance back to the 2019 polls, within the same upazilas, 45 candidates wielded moveable or liquid assets valued at Tk 1 crore or beyond, marking a notable surge from the 34 candidates recorded in the 2014 polls.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, the Executive Director of TIB, weighed in on this concerning trend, stating, “It is the responsibility of the Election Commission, National Board of Revenue (NBR), and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to scrutinize the abnormal escalation in wealth among candidates vying for positions in the upazila election.”
Further unveiling the intricate fabric of the electoral landscape, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman disclosed that in the inaugural phase, 13 relatives of ministers and MPs have thrown their hats into the ring, adding a layer of familial influence to the political arena.
Additionally, he noted that a total of 26 candidates seized victory uncontested for coveted posts of chairman, vice-chairman, and women vice-chairman.
The encroachment of businessmen into the realm of local government elections has become increasingly apparent, tilting the balance towards profit-centric politics at the expense of public welfare.
TIB highlighted a disconcerting trend wherein elections are perceived as lucrative investment opportunities, sidelining the broader interests of the populace, even at the grassroots level.
According to TIB’s incisive analysis of candidate affidavits, the burgeoning influence of businessmen mirrors patterns observed in national elections.
The proportion of candidates hailing from business backgrounds has surged by 8 percentage points compared to the fourth election, now encompassing a commanding 56 percent.
Among this cohort, approximately 69.86 percent of chairman candidates, 66.59 percent of vice-chairman candidates, and 24.37 percent of female vice-chairman candidates are entrenched in business endeavors. Furthermore, 19.5 percent of candidates identifying as housewives or housekeepers derive income from business ventures.
Addressing the media at the press conference, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman articulated, “In our country, politics and public representation have become ensnared in power dynamics, where personal gain often eclipses public welfare.
Principles such as respect for the law, party discipline, and adherence to party decisions, integral to democratic institutions like political parties, are now held hostage to power politics.”
“The pursuit of political power is increasingly viewed as a gateway to unfettered wealth accumulation, fostering an environment of unhealthy competition.
Of paramount concern is whether businessmen venturing into politics adhere to ethical procedures and engage in fair competition.
Those championing a healthy, people-centric political culture are now on the brink of extinction or marginalized amidst the dominance of power politics,” added Iftekharuzzaman.
Continuing its scrutinous gaze into the electoral landscape, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) embarked on a comprehensive dashboard analysis, delving into the affidavits of candidates vying for positions in the Upazila Parishad elections.
The findings unearthed a stark revelation: a notable surge in movable assets among elected Upazila Parishad representatives compared to their parliamentary counterparts.
Over the span of five years, the growth trajectory of movable assets among parliamentarians soared to a staggering 3,065 percent.
Meanwhile, Upazila Parishad chairmen experienced an even more meteoric rise, with an astounding increase of over 4,200 percent.
Moreover, the income of a chairman witnessed a maximal surge, escalating by 3,319 percent over a 5-year period and an unprecedented 18,233 percent over a decade.