Dhaka, Jan 22 (V7N) — A total of 51 political parties are participating in the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election, with 1,981 candidates contesting across the country, according to information presented by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Among the candidates, 249 are independents, accounting for about 13 percent, while 1,732 candidates are contesting under various party symbols, TIB said at a press conference on Thursday (January 22) while presenting an analysis of candidates’ affidavits.

TIB reported that 25.5 percent of candidates have loans or liabilities, with the total debt amounting to Tk 18,868.52 crore.

Debt Profile of Candidates

According to the analysis of 10 major political parties:

  • BNP candidates have the highest rate of indebtedness, with 59.41 percent reporting loans or liabilities.

  • Independent candidates are second, at 32.79 percent.

  • Jatiya Party candidates rank third, with 26.97 percent.

  • The Communist Party of Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami follow, with 25 percent and 22.26 percent, respectively.

Professional Background and Wealth

More than 48 percent of the candidates identified business as their main profession.
Other professions include:

  • Law: 12.61 percent

  • Teaching: 11.56 percent

  • Politics: 1.56 percent

Based on declared movable and immovable assets at current market value, 891 candidates are millionaires, of whom 27 possess assets worth hundreds of crores of taka, TIB said.

Islamist Parties and Women’s Participation

The report noted a significant rise in candidates from Islamist political parties, who now account for more than 36 percent of total candidates — the highest proportion in the last five elections.

However, women’s participation remains low, once again failing to reach the 5 percent target, similar to previous elections.

Criminal Cases Against Candidates

TIB said that 530 candidates (22.66 percent) currently face criminal cases, while 740 candidates (31.64 percent) had cases filed against them in the past.

Allegations Against Election Commission

At the press conference, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman alleged that the Election Commission (EC) had allowed some loan defaulters to contest through what he described as collusion, claiming that the EC has failed to fulfill its constitutional responsibility.

He further alleged that the EC has become hostage to business-oriented politics and said TIB has information indicating that some candidates may have concealed dual citizenship information in their affidavits.

END/SMA/AJ