2 Candidates in Election Concealed Information about Dual Citizenship and Assets in Affidavits

At least two candidates contesting the upcoming general election concealed information about their dual citizenship in affidavits submitted to the Election Commission, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said today.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said 21 candidates had declared in their affidavits that they had acquired foreign citizenship and later renounced it to become eligible to contest the election.

“However, at least two candidates who held dual citizenship did not disclose the information in their affidavits,” he said, adding that information obtained by TIB indicated they were British citizens.

He made the remarks at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi office, where the anti-corruption watchdog presented its analysis of affidavits submitted by candidates for the 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12.

Iftekharuzzaman said candidates are legally required to declare dual citizenship and submit proof of renunciation of foreign citizenship along with their affidavits.

He declined to name the two candidates, saying TIB policy does not allow disclosure of such information publicly.

“However, we have relevant documents and will inform the concerned authorities,” he said.

TIB also flagged inconsistencies related to foreign assets.

Iftekharuzzaman said information suggested that in 2013 a house worth £1.4 million (around Tk 2.10 billion) was purchased in the UK in the name of a declared dependent of one candidate, but the property was not mentioned in the affidavit.

According to credible information, the property was acquired through a shell company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, he said.

He further said one candidate failed to declare any personal assets abroad, despite his wife owning a flat in Dubai.

Another candidate disclosed ownership of three flats abroad, while the actual number is at least three times higher, with the total investment estimated around Tk 350 million.

TIB also found that a candidate who did not disclose ownership of any foreign business enterprises was linked to 11 companies abroad, eight of which are commercially active.

In addition, although information about one candidate having company registrations in tax havens has long been publicly available, no such declaration was found in the candidate’s affidavit, Iftekharuzzaman said.