Over one-third of candidates breached election campaign spending limits: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has found that more than one-third of election candidates exceeded the legally permitted campaign spending limit, with average expenditure reaching Tk 11.9 million even before the official campaign period ended.

The findings were disclosed at a press conference held at the TIB auditorium on Sunday (8 February).

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman was present at the press conference.

Speaking at the function, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the lack of coordination between the Election Commission (EC) and the government, legal ambiguities, and political pressure have emerged as major obstacles to implementing the public aspiration for state reform expressed through the July mass uprising.

Dr Zaman said that due to opposing stances of influential political parties, the government’s indecisiveness in reaching a decision regarding a referendum, and the enactment of an ordinance aimed at satisfying both sides have, from the outset, created ambiguity, confusion, and controversy over the subject matter and the specific questions of the referendum.

Even if the decisions to hold the election and the referendum on the same day, along with the mandate for an Upper House in Parliament, were intended as a means to achieve that satisfaction, the matter has only become more complicated, he added.

The referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election are scheduled to be held on 12 February 2026. Previously, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has conducted a series of research studies on the national electoral system to monitor integrity in Bangladesh’s election process.

The objective of publishing these preliminary observations is to raise awareness among all relevant stakeholders, including the Election Commission, the government, the administration, law enforcement agencies, political parties and their candidates, activists and supporters, the media, election observer organisations, and voters, and to encourage them to take appropriate measures.

According to the study, 33.8 per cent of candidates spent beyond the expenditure ceiling between 4 December 2025 and 1 February 2026. The average spending during this period stood at Tk 11.96 million (1,19,61,310) per candidate.

TIB reported that political parties and prospective candidates began campaigning ahead of the permitted timeframe, violating electoral rules as well as the Wall Writing and Posters (Control) Act, 2012. Campaign materials were displayed on walls, pillars, vehicles, and other structures in breach of the law.

Despite repeated directives from the Election Commission (EC) instructing candidates to remove such materials, 81.3 per cent failed to comply, the study noted.

In one incident, a campaigning candidate allegedly threatened an executive magistrate over the phone after being asked to remove campaign materials.

The study also highlighted attempts to influence the administration, alongside public statements by political leaders that allegedly exerted pressure on officials and others to work in favour of specific political parties.

In December, the Election Commission introduced a revised framework for determining election expenditure limits for candidates. Under the new system, candidates are allowed to spend either Tk 2.5 million or Tk 10 per registered voter—whichever amount is higher.

As a result, in constituencies or seats with up to 0.25 million (2.5 lakh) voters, the spending cap remains Tk 2.5 million.

In seats with a larger voter base, the limit increases proportionately. For example, a constituency with 300,000 voters allows a maximum expenditure of Tk 3.0 million, while in Dhaka-19, which has nearly 750,000 voters, a candidate may legally spend up to Tk 7.5 million.

Speaking at the function, Dr Zaman also said, “It remains unknown whether any form of constructive consultation or coordination between the government and the Election Commission was utilised in the decision-making process regarding such a monumental issue—particularly concerning the enactment of the ordinance, the referendum, and the government’s stance in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote.”

Furthermore, the directive issued by the Election Commission regarding government employees campaigning in favour of the referendum—which came 18 days after the government’s own campaign activities had already commenced—has sparked even greater controversy, raising questions about how well-considered, lawful, and constructive such a move truly was, he added.

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