Published : 09 Jan 2026, 07:38 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:59 PM
Most BNP and Jamaat candidates in Chattogram are relying heavily on borrowed and donated funds to finance their parliamentary campaigns, according to statements filed with the Election Commission.
Relatives, supporters, and well-wishers are expected to provide a significant portion of the money, highlighting the financial constraints faced by opposition candidates in the Feb 12 polls.
In Chattogram district’s 16 constituencies, all but seven of the 17 BNP candidates informed the EC that they will cover their election expenses with money borrowed from and donated by relatives, in addition to their personal funds.
Most of Jamaat’s 14 candidates, on the other hand, said they will finance their election expenses with donations from well-wishers and relatives.
The parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on Feb 12. A referendum on implementing the July Charter has also been scheduled on the same day.
The EC is now accepting appeals as part of the nomination scrutiny.
After the announcement of the schedule, candidates are required to submit to the returning officer a detailed statement of all possible expenses from collecting nomination papers to the voting day.
These expenses must be within the prescribed limits. Political parties too have expenditure limits under the election law.
The Representation of the People Order — a set of electoral rules — has been amended, setting candidates’ expenditure limits at Tk 10 per voter.
Among Chattogram’s constituencies, Chattogram-15, covering Lohagara and parts of Satkania, has the highest projected election spending by BNP and Jamaat candidates. Voters number 506,259, with 270,916 men and 235,343 women.
Jamaat candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury expects to spend Tk 5.062 million, funded by Tk 1.06 million from his earnings, Tk 2.4 million from brothers abroad, and Tk 1.6 million from well-wishers.
BNP’s Nazmul Mostafa Amin plans to spend Tk 5.05 million, with Tk 1.5 million sourced from his business, Tk 2 million from his wife’s gold, and Tk 1.56 million from his son.
Most candidates rely on loans or donations from relatives and supporters.
THE SOURCES OF THE ELECTION FUNDS
In Chattogram-1, comprising Mirsharai, BNP’s Nurul Amin plans to spend Tk 3 million—Tk 1 million from his own funds and Tk 2 million borrowed from his son-in-law.
Jamaat’s Saifur Rahman, a lawyer, plans to spend Tk 1.5 million, including Tk 0.1 million from himself and the rest from relatives and a well-wisher.
In Chattogram-2, covering Fatikchhari, BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir said he will spend Tk 4.8 million from personal savings and business. Jamaat’s Mohammad Nurul Amin expects to spend Tk 2 million from savings, with Tk 1.5 million from his wife and daughter and Tk 0.7 million in donations from well-wishers.
In Chattogram-3, which covers Sandwip, Jamaat’s Muhammad Alauddin Sikder estimated his election campaign expense to stand at Tk 2.4 million, partly from personal funds, relatives, and well-wishers. BNP’s Mostafa Kamal Pasha plans to run his entire campaign at Tk 1.5 million from past savings.
In Chattogram-4, comprising Sitakunda and city wards 11 and 12, BNP’s Aslam Chowdhury will spend Tk 3.2 million from his business and family, while Jamaat’s Md Anwar Siddique expects to spend Tk 1.2 million from personal funds, relatives, and well-wishers.
In Chattogram-5 and 6, BNP candidates plan to complete their campaigns between Tk 2.5 and Tk 3.5 million, funded mostly from personal savings, business, and family. Jamaat has no candidate in Chattogram 5, but in the other seat, Jamaat’s candidate plans smaller contributions supplemented by donations.
Most candidates rely heavily on loans or contributions from relatives and supporters in financing local election campaigns.
