Wealth statements of election candidates under ACC scanner

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will commence its own scrutiny and investigation based on the wealth statements submitted by the candidates with the Election Commission (EC) very soon. 

ACC said they are now collecting the information from the EC and other related organisations which can provide information about the wealth alongside the monitoring of the issue.

According to the wealth statements of different candidates, the income of several candidates have been doubled, tripled, or more over the last five years. 

The ACC said they are paying more attention to such candidates' wealth statements who earned a huge amount of wealth overnight, according to a UNB report Monday.

Some of the candidates’ wealth statements are questionable and raise doubt. Reportedly the wealth of several candidates has increased exponentially.     

ACC said media reports are being collected for the resources and the copies of wealth statements will be collected from the EC in due time.

According to an ACC source wishing to be anonymous, any inconsistency in wealth statement can also be investigated after the election. The source also said their income must have a legitimate source. Those suspected of acquiring their wealth illegally will face investigation. 

The legal limit on election expenses for each contesting candidate is determined on a per capita basis, and varies in line with the size of the electorate in each constituency, with a uniform ceiling that applies for everyone.

In the wake of a recent gazette notification, candidates are allowed to spend Tk 10 per voter (previously Tk 8) in their constituency, yet the spending cannot exceed a ceiling of Tk 2.5 million (Tk 25 lakh). 

ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said the ACC expects every candidate will submit the true information in the announced wealth assessment and election expenditure. “Those who don’t submit the accurate statement, whose assets don’t have a valid source, whose accounts will not match with the income tax returns, their statements will be investigated,” he added.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has been monitoring the candidates, said its chairman. “Our position is absolutely clear. We’ll take action if it’s required. We won’t consider the party, person or social identity. If we find any wealth which has been earned through corruption, we’ll take legal action."

ACC source also said the income tax documents and wealth statements will be collected for investigation. If the ACC finds any discrepancy, they will be called for interrogation. Thereafter if any irregularity is found, charges of acquiring illegal wealth may be brought against them. 

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also demanded that the wealth statements of the candidates and their family members be examined.

"It’s necessary to create an easy process for bringing the accused under trial. I think it’s a responsibility. It should not be meaningful if they are evaluated based on the person's identity or the political involvement,” TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman told UNB.