Wealth Statement To EC

<i>Most candidates in Barisal show much lower value of gold assets</i>

16 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Rafiqul Islam, Barisal

In their wealth statement submitted with nomination papers in six constituencies in Barisal district, at least 20 candidates, mostly from major political parties, showed the value of gold ornaments as low as Tk 1000 per tola. BARISAL-1: Grand alliance candidate AL leader advocate Talukdar Md Yunus in his wealth statement said he has 30 tola gold. The value was showed as Tk 60,000. Central BNP leader and former lawmaker Zahiruddin Swapan, now an independent candidate for the seat, said he has 60 tola gold ornaments and he does not know the value. BARISAL-2: Former BNP whip Shahidul Huq Zamal, now an independent candidate, said he has gold ornaments worth Tk 35,000. Four-party alliance candidate BNP leader Sharfuddin Santu said he and his two wives have 40 tola gold ornaments, the value being shown as Tk 2.5 lakh. Grand alliance candidate AL leader Manirul Islam Moni declared that he and his wife have 50 tola gold ornaments while the value was shown as Tk 5,400. BARISAL-3: Four-party alliance candidate former BNP minister Selima Rahman said she has gold ornaments worth Tk 50,000. Golam Kibria Tipu said he has gold ornaments valued Tk 60,000. Central BNP leader and independent candidate advocate Jainul Abedin said he has 66 tola ornaments received as gifts. BARISAL-4: BNP leader four-party alliance candidate Mezbahuddin Farhad said he has 13 tola ornaments, the value being shown as Tk 65,000. Grand alliance candidate AL leader Maidul Islam has 30 tola ornaments. The value was shown as Tk 50,000. BNP leader Shah Muhammad Abul Hossain, a former lawmaker and minister, has ornaments worth Tk 6,000, while Mosaddek Billah Madani, son of late Charmonair Pir and Islami Andolon leader, said he has 25 tola ornaments. BARISAL-5: Four-party alliance candidate advocate Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, former BCC mayor, BNP whip and district BNP president, stated that he and his wife have 80 tola gold ornaments received as gifts. Grand alliance candidate AL leader Col (rtd) Zahid Faruk Shamim, said he has 26 tola ornaments, the value shown as Tk 1,00,000. Independent candidate rebel AL leader and freedom fighter Mahbubuddin Bir Bikram said he has 18 tola ornaments. The value was shown as Tk 60,000. Islami Andolon candidate Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, son of late Pir of Charmonai, has 10 tola ornaments. The shown value is Tk 60,000. BARISAL-6: Jatiya Party Secretary General grand alliance candidate ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar said he has 100 tola gold ornaments that he gained as wedding gifts. Former BNP lawmaker four-party alliance candidate Abul Hossain Khan mentioned 30 tola ornaments received as gifts. Bikolpa Dhara Bangladesh leader Principal Rashid Khan has 10 tola ornaments, the shown value being Tk 25,000. Barisal Deputy Commissioner Musfiq Ahmed Shamim, also the returning officer, told The Daily Star that according to the income tax rule and religious law, valuation of gold must be determined according to the present market value. However he expressed his ignorance about its implementation in case of statements about election candidature. Deputy election commissioner in charge, Manirul Islam, however, said under election rule, valuation would be determined according to the price of purchase. But he could not explain how to determine the purchase time value.