Upazila Candidates Lag Behind MPs In Asset Growth: TIB

In the past five years, public representatives of the Upazila Parishad have lagged behind Members of Parliament in asset growth. The maximum rate of asset growth for MPs was 3,065%, where the asset growth rate for one chairman exceeded 4,200%.

Today, Monday (May 6th), at a press conference at the office of the TIB (Transparency International Bangladesh) in Dhanmondi, this information was revealed by the organization.

TIB stated that among the first phase of 152 upazilas, nomination papers of 144 candidates have been published by the election commission, while the remaining eight have not been processed. Among the three elections in 152 upazilas, a comparative analysis of the information provided in approximately 4,800 nomination papers of eight types has been conducted.

Although interference by local government ministers and MPs is a major topic of discussion in the local government elections, this time there is controversy over family nominations. In the first phase, there are 13 relatives of ministers and MPs. Brothers, cousins, nephews, and sons of brothers are on the list as candidates.

Although the upazila election is party-based, this time the power-incompetent Awami League has not announced any candidate to make the election controversial.

Despite BNP's announcement to boycott the election, the party has expelled 73 people from the first phase of the upazila parishad election for participating. Later, 22 Jamaat leaders who participated as independent candidates withdrew from the party's decision.

Most of the participating candidates in the upazila elections are 'independent candidates of the Awami League'. Although most independent candidates have strong support from the party's local leadership.