70pc candidates businessmen in first phase upazila polls: TIB

Around 70 percent of chairman candidates are businessmen in the first phase of the 6th Upazila Parishad elections while 93 of them have moveable or liquid assets worth over Taka one crore. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) disclosed the information in a press conference at its Dhanmondi office today analyzing the affidavits of the candidates submitted in the Election Commission in 144 upazilas. In the first phase of the 6th upazila parishad elections, the number of candidates having moveable or liquid assets worth over Taka 1.0 crore is 17 among vice-chairman candidates and six among woman vice-chairman candidates. In the both cases, the number increased three times compared to previous polls. According to the TIB's analysis, 69.86 percent of the chairman candidates showed their occupation as business in the first phase. The second highest 11.19 percent showed their occupation as agricultural works. Lawyers (6.32pc) and teachers (4.15pc) are in the third and fourth positions. Similarly, about 6 9.59 percent of the candidates for the post of vice-chairman showed their occupation as business. According to TIB analysis, 52.22 percent of the woman vice chairman candidates have shown housewifery as their occupation. Second highest 24.37 percent showed their occupation as business. Social workers or organizers are at the next position, with 5.10 percent. Teachers (4.87pc) and farmers (3.48pc) are in the fourth and fifth positions. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha