The run-up to the 13th National Parliament election has been marred by intense scrutiny over candidates’ affidavits, which are required to disclose personal details such as profession, income, assets, liabilities, and age. These documents, submitted to the Election Commission (EC), demand neutral scrutiny to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
However, a comprehensive analysis of affidavits from 1,842 valid candidatesโdrawn from reports by media outlets like Prothom Alo, anti-graft watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), and opposition allegationsโreveals widespread discrepancies.
Prime ministerial hopefuls and top opposition leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizens Party (NCP), and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish are at the centre of these controversies, facing accusations of underreporting wealth, misrepresenting professions, concealing loan defaults, and even falsifying ages.
The Jamaat-controlled interim government has been under severe criticism for excluding the Awami League and over a dozen like-minded parties from the election by banning its activities in a controversial executive order. The Awami League has demanded a halt to the farcical election and illegal referendum and inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government.
According to TIB’s detailed report, 44% of candidates identify as businessmen, overshadowing full-time politicians who make up only 26%. This trend, TIB argues, reflects a “symbiotic relationship” between business and politics, where affluent candidates secure nominations through financial influence, potentially undermining diverse representation in parliament.
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Experts like SHUJAN Secretary and Yunus-aide Badiul Alam Majumdar describe it as viewing parliamentary seats as “investments for profit,” while Dhaka University’s Prof. Mohammad Majibur Rahman warns that it could obstruct balanced policymaking across societal classes.
The election involves 51 registered parties and independents contesting 300 seats, with 3,406 nomination forms collected and 2,568 submitted. After scrutiny, 1,842 were validated by January 4, though some appeals are pending.
Among valid candidates, businessmen dominate at 814 (nearly half), followed by teachers (244), lawyers (208), agriculturalists (97), doctors (48), former government employees (21), and consultants (13). Islam-based parties, including Jamaat and Khelafat Majlish, field over 36% of candidatesโthe highest in the last five electionsโyet female participation remains negligible, failing to meet the proposed 5% quota.
Below, we delve into the affidavits of top leaders from the focused parties, categorized by profession, income, loan default claims, and age/other allegations. Data is sourced from EC submissions, TIB analyses, media investigations, and public clarifications. Discrepancies often involve underreporting to evade taxes or scrutiny, with TIB calling for probes by the EC, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and National Board of Revenue (NBR) to verify legitimacy.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
The BNP is contesting 287 seats under its “sheaf of paddy” symbol. The party’s candidate pool includes 205 businessmen (71%), 229 highly educated individuals (including 8 PhD holders), and 215 crorepatis (those with assets over Tk1 crore).
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Over 86% of candidates are over 50, with 248 above that threshold. Only seven list politics as their primary profession, highlighting a shift toward business-oriented nominees. Top leaders like Chairman Tarique Rahman and others face allegations of false declarations, with party-wide loans contributing significantly to the election’s Tk18,868 crore total liabilities.
BNP’s affidavits show a heavy tilt toward business, with 194 businessmen among its candidatesโthe highest among parties. Acting chairperson Tareq Rahman, contesting Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6, declares politics as his sole profession, emphasising his full-time role in party leadership. However, only four BNP candidates (including Tarique) list politics exclusively, with most combining it with other occupations.
For instance, Dewan Mohammad Salauddin (Dhaka-19) identifies as a businessman, while Dr. M.A. Quayum (Dhaka-11), a PhD holder, blends politics with unspecified professional activities. Other notable leaders include Khondokar Mosharraf Hossain (Cumilla-1, PhD, politics), Abdul Moyeen Khan (Narsingdi-2, PhD, politics), and Reza Kibria (Habiganj-1, PhD, politics). Reza Kibria is the son of former Awami League minister Shah AMS Kibria, who was killed in a grenade attack by the militant HuJI-B.
Analysts criticise this as evidence of “career politicians” being sidelined, with business interests dominating to leverage political power for economic gains. TIB notes that 27 candidates are lawyers, 17 farmers, 12 doctors, 6 teachers, and 13 in other professions, but the business majority (71%) raises concerns about conflicts of interest.
Income declarations vary widely, with 37 candidates reporting over Tk1 crore annually, 39 between Tk51-99 lakh, 34 between Tk31-50 lakh, and 141 under Tk20 lakh.
Tarique Rahman declares Tk6.6 lakh yearly (Tk55,000 monthly), sourced from past savings, fixed deposits, and government allowances inherited after his father, General Ziaur Rahman’s death.
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In the face of allegations raised by senior journalist Masood Kamal, Tarique explained that his 17 years in exile meant no local income, and his tax returns reflect pre-exile assets like FDRs (Tk9.24 lakh) and shares (Tk68 lakh).
Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr Zobaida Rahman, do not have any legal source of income. But they live in a villa at 3 Cotswold Close in posh Kingston and own a ยฃ120,000 Range Rover, which was seen when Tarique went to The Dorchester to meet with Yunus and bargain for their share of power in June 2025. Dr Zobaida is not a general practitioner in London, and the coupleโs daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, obtained a law degree from Queen Mary University of London and later received her Bar-at-Law certification from Lincolnโs Inn in 2019.
From 2001 to 2006, Tarique Rahman became the shadow prime minister of the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance government, running his extortion and terrorist activities from the Hawa Bhaban.
Dewan Salauddin’s income is incomplete due to missing affidavit pages. High earners include Zakaria Taher (Cumilla-8) at Tk59.17 crore, mainly from capital gains, agriculture, rentals, and business honorariums. Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chittagong-4) reports substantial income tied to his Tk381 crore assets.
Critics allege underreporting; for example, Masood Kamal questioned Tarique’s ability to afford his Gulshan lifestyle on declared income, though Tarique clarified the residence is his mother’s property. The TIB suspects mismatches in the affidavits, urging NBR audits.
Tarique aides say he earned his living by selling party positions and nominations for elections. Critics allege that Tarique also earned money from online betting apps.
Loan Default Claims
BNP candidates account for a significant portion of the election’s Tk17,500 crore in bank loans among 25% indebted candidates. Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury declares Tk345 crore in loans against Tk381 crore assets, drawing EC scrutiny during validation, where Commissioner Abdul Rahman Masud warned him to repay.
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No defaults are explicitly claimed against Tareq Rahman, who reports no loans or liabilities. However, party-wide allegations suggest hidden defaults, especially among business-heavy candidates like Zakaria Taher, whose massive income raises questions about undeclared borrowings. Dewan Salauddin’s incomplete affidavit omits liability details.
TIB highlights that total candidate liabilities exceed Tk18,868 crore, with BNP’s share potentially including defaults from business ventures, calling for ACC investigations to ensure no public funds are at risk.
Age And Other Allegations
Ages are generally consistent, but discrepancies arise in wealth and citizenship claims. Tarique Rahman, 57, faces allegations of age falsification alongside wealth concealment. However, official documents say he was born in 1965, hence his age is 65.
BNP’s oldest, Akbar Ali (86, Sirajganj-4), has no disputes. Dr. M A Quayum faces dual citizenship accusations from NCP’s Nahid Islam, alleging Vanuatu nationality hidden in affidavits, violating Constitution Article 66(2). The High Court dismissed the writ on February 3, 2026, but an appeal is pending. Other PhD holders like Muhammad Osman Faruk (Kishoreganj-3, age unspecified) and A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milan (Chandpur-1) declare politics without issues.
TIB notes foreign asset hiding: Some BNP leaders underreport overseas properties, with one candidate concealing three times the declared flats (estimated Tk35 crore investment). General claims include 530 candidates with ongoing cases (22.66%), with BNP contributing significantly.
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Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
A follower of the Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat fields candidates with 77 businessmen, 80 teachers, 35 lawyers, 12 agriculturalists, and 13 doctors. The party leads in teachers and doctors, reflecting its emphasis on education and professional networks. TIB reports Islam-based parties’ record participation, but affidavits reveal undervaluation and omissions.
The party has been under severe condemnation for not nominating any woman in any seat, with Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman claiming that no woman can become the party chief.
Professions blend religious leadership with secular roles. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman (Dhaka-15) lists medicine (MBBS), but critics question if he practices actively. In a TV talk show, Masood Kamal asked about his chamber and how medicine sustains his family, given his wife’s homemaker status.
Maulana Habib ur Rahman (Sylhet-1) is a religious scholar but accused of hiding business directorships. Party-wide, three candidates list politics exclusively, with teachers (80) and lawyers (35) prominent. Other combinations include business-teaching (20) and business-agriculture (35).
TIB criticises the low full-time politician count (26% overall), arguing it masks political careers behind professions to avoid scrutiny.
Incomes are modest compared to assets. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declares Tk3.6 lakh annually (Tk30,000 monthly) from agriculture, business, profession, and investments, despite his medical background.
Habib ur Rahman’s income is not detailed publicly, but allegations tie it to undisclosed companies. Party candidates include 77 with under Tk20 lakh, raising sustainability questions. TIB suspects underreporting, noting Shafiqur’s Tk1.5 crore assets (Tk60.76 lakh cash, Tk27.16 lakh investments) don’t align with income sources.
Significant allegations target Habib ur Rahman for concealing Tk24 crore in defaults from Ibn Sina Hospital, plus loans from three Islamic banks (Shahjalal, Al-Arafah, Islami). BNP’s Khondokar Abdul Muktadir accused him of fraud via RJSC records showing unreported stakes.
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Shafiqur Rahman declares no loans, with assets like 217 decimals land (Tk17.71 lakh) and a duplex (Tk27 lakh). The prices are unrealistic at the least. During the last 17 years, he used to do business in Sylhet in partnership with local Awami League leaders.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, 67, has no age disputes but 34 cases (32 acquitted, 2 stayed). TIB notes foreign asset issues, like underreported Dubai properties. Party-wide, 740 candidates had past cases (31.64%).
National Citizens Party (NCP)
Yunusโ brainchild NCP is a major component of the Jamaat-led alliance. It has 16 businessmen, 3 consultants, and 3 teachers. Its leaders were engaged in massive extortion and mob attacks in the last 18 months.
Nahid Islam (Dhaka-11) lists consultant (ex-advisor), clarifying no “teaching.” Sarjis Alam (Panchagarh-1) is a businessman, Hannan Masud (Noakhali-6) owns Digilant Global. Nahid is accused of taking bribes for appointments and transfers and part of extortion money collected by the NCPโs mob leaders. His father, Badrul Islam Jamir, is accused of land grabbing and extortion in Dhakaโs Rampura and Mirpur areas. Nahid declares Tk16 lakh (Tk11.36 lakh advisorship, Tk1 lakh consulting), paying Tk1.13 lakh taxes. Sarjis corrected to Tk9 lakh from error. Hannan Tk6.7 lakh.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish
Radical Islamist party Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish is a component of Hefazat-e-Islam platform. Based on seat-sharing discussions with Jamaat, a total of 23 candidates of Khelafat Majlish will take part in the election with the rickshaw symbol. Six more candidates will contest the election alongside alliance partners. Of them, 23 are involved in teaching and business.
Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque (Dhaka-13, Bagerhat-1) lists teaching (Master’s/MBA), with business. He has shown Tk13.15 lakh as income (teaching Tk6.56 lakh and business Tk6.58 lakh).
He also manages the Jamia Rahmania Arabia madrasa in Mohammadpur, which his father captured from its original owners in 1992. This madrasa is a den of militant groups like Ansar al-Islam, JMB and HuJI-B.
In his affidavit, Mamunul says he has one wife, but five years ago, he said that Jannat Ara Jharna, with whom he was found in a resort, was his second wife.
Recently, he visited Afghanistan to see first hand the benefits of implementing Shariah law as he professes the same ideology. In recent statements, Mamunul voiced harsh warnings against democracy, socialism, secularism, Hinduism and women empowerment.
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