TRANSPARENCY International Bangladesh has earlier made public its findings form the analysis it carried out on the affidavits that the candidates submitted to the Election Commission running in both the national and local government elections. The findings say that there has been a significant mismatch between the wealth statements that the candidates submitted and their income that they stated in their tax returns. Based on the wealth statements that the candidates, especially those who were running again in the elections after they had been elected earlier, the organisation also logically suggested that the wealth of many of the candidates had increased exponentially during their incumbency. The increase in their wealth is hardly in sync with the increase in the wealth of the people who are ordinary and even who are not ordinary but are outside power. The findings of the organisation further suggest a highly possible correlation between holding office of power and wealth accumulation. Although the election and revenue authorities on their own should have investigated the allegations of the mismatch between the wealth stated in the affidavits and the income tax returns and taken action, no investigation either by the Election Commission or the National Board of Revenue has so far been heard of.
Transparency International Bangladesh on June 2 shared its findings of its analysis of the affidavits of the candidates who ran in the January 7 national elections with the Election Commission. Transparency International Bangladesh has also identified the areas where the Election Commission could work and take action accordingly. The Election Commission, however, seeks to say that it has posted the affidavits online but has not been given the responsibility to analyse the wealth of the candidates and take action. The commission also notes that the laws have limitations. The response that the commission has made evidently lacks the responsibility that the commission should have for any investigation of the allegations and consequent action. And, this is worrying, especially when the Election Commission in an institution of accountability. The mismatch and incongruence that Transparency International Bangladesh has come up with not only suggests the violation of the laws by the politically powerful quarters, but also constitutes the breach of oath in the affidavit. The situation altogether stands as a hindrance to democratic dispensation, good governance and accountability. Now that Transparency International Bangladesh has officially shared its findings with the election authorities, it becomes imperative for the Election Commission to investigate the allegations and act accordingly. Besides, the National Board of Revenue and the Anti-Corruption Commission, another institution of accountability, should also investigate the allegations their way and take action in the furtherance of integrity and democratic dispensation.
In all, the Election Commission, in view of what it has said about the findings of Transparency International Bangladesh, appears reluctant at investigating the allegations. This is unbecoming of an institution of accountability to have so said and to have so expressed.
