Juniors out-earn seniors

As Bangladesh heads toward the 13th National Parliamentary Election, candidates' affidavits have thrown up a striking contrast several first-time contenders are declaring higher annual incomes than long-established political heavyweights.

National Citizens' Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, contesting Dhaka-11, reported an annual income of Tk 16 lakh. His total assets stand at Tk 3 crore, including Tk 19.5 lakh in cash, Tk 3.85 lakh in bank deposits, jewellery worth Tk 77.5 lakh, electronics valued at Tk 1 lakh and furniture worth Tk 1.7 lakh. His wife declared Tk 2 lakh in cash, jewellery valued at Tk 1 crore and a bank loan of Tk 3.5 lakh.

In Cumilla-4, newcomer Hasnat Abdullah disclosed an annual income of Tk 12.54 lakh with assets worth Tk 50 lakh. Another first-timer, Sarjis Alam of Panchagarh-1, reported Tk 9 lakh in annual income and total assets of Tk 33.7 lakh, including agricultural land valued at Tk 5 lakh.

NCP's Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud earned Tk 6 lakh from business in the 2025-26 fiscal year and declared total assets worth Tk 98.39 lakh, according to his election affidavit. The 26-year-old candidate, contesting from Noakhali-6, identified himself as the proprietor of Digiland Global.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, contesting Patuakhali-3, declared a combined annual income of Tk 20.4 lakh and assets worth Tk 90.44 lakh. His affidavit lists cash holdings of Tk 28.38 lakh and bank deposits of Tk 2.89 lakh. His wife, schoolteacher Maria Akter, reported assets worth Tk 2.67 lakh.

The picture looks markedly different among senior leaders.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman declared an annual income of Tk 6.76 lakh, despite reporting total assets worth Tk 19.68 crore, including Tk 3.158 crore in cash alongside property, shareholdings and business interests.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman reported an annual income of Tk 3.6 lakh. His declared assets total Tk 47.3 lakh and include a duplex house, agricultural land, electronics worth Tk 2 lakh and stock market investments valued at Tk 27.2 lakh.

The Election Commission has set January 4 for scrutiny of nomination papers. Appeals will be accepted from January 5 to 9, while candidates may withdraw nominations by January 20. The final list of contestants with symbol allocation will be published on January 21. Campaigning begins on January 22 and runs until February 10, with polling scheduled for February 12.

Election analysts say the disclosures point to a shifting political landscape, where new entrants are reporting stronger income profiles than seasoned figures-underscoring, they add, the importance of transparent financial declarations to bolster public trust in the electoral process.