NCP candidate Arif plans poll campaign with ‘public funds’ in Chattogram

The journalist-turned-politician has listed no property, with cash as his only asset

Jubairul Hasan Arif, the lone candidate of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Chattogram, has planned to spend Tk 2.5 million on the parliamentary election, with the entire amount to be raised from the local supporters and voters.

According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, the NCP joint chief organiser holds no immovable property, such as land, flats, or commercial buildings.

In his financial disclosure, Arif listed journalism as his profession, with an annual income of Tk 330,000. He currently holds Tk 276,000 in cash.

Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), candidates in Chattogram-8, with 554,729 voters, can spend up to Tk 5.55 million, calculated at Tk 10 per voter.

Election law allows registered parties to accept a maximum of Tk 5 million in donations from individuals or institutions.

Any candidate receiving Tk 50,000 or more from a single donor, however, must process the transaction through a bank and provide the donor's tax return details.

Although the NCP initially announced candidates for nine out of the 16 seats in the port city, only seven collected nomination forms, and ultimately, only Arif submitted his.

The Chattogram-8 constituency encompasses Boalkhali Upazila and Ward No. 3 to 7 of the city corporation.

Arif faces competition from nine other candidates, including Ershad Ullah of the BNP and Abu Naser of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The returning officer has already disqualified the nominations of two other aspirants in this seat.