Nearly 59 per cent of the BNP’s candidates contesting in the parliamentary polls have outstanding loans, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). According to the data presented, a total of 51 political parties are taking part in the national election, with 1,981 candidates in the final race. The TIB report notes that nearly 25.5 per cent of all candidates in the election carry some form of debt or liability. Legal shadows also loom over the race, with 530 candidates -- representing 22.66 per cent -- currently facing active court cases. The total declared electoral expenditure for all candidates stands at Tk 4.64 billion, with an average spending of Tk 2.25 million per person.

Source: bd News24 January 22, 2026 12:51 UTC