Election 2008Joypurhat-1, 2 Candidates' Expenses

9 out of 10 depend on relatives, donations

21 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Kongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur

Nine candidates out of ten in two Joypurhat constituencies are depending on relatives and individual donors for meeting major portion of their election expenses. Only Abdul Aziz Mollah who is contesting in Joypuaht-1 and 2 constituencies as independent candidate will meet his election expenses from own sources. However, local election monitoring cells are closely watching election expenses of the candidates as per their survey reports. According to the affidavits submitted to the election commission by the candidates, they declared that donations from their relatives and well wishers would be used, along with their own funds. Md. Abdul Aziz Mollah mentioned in his affidavit that he has a budget of Tk 5 lakh for running from the two constituencies. He will bear the election expenses from his own fund. In Joypurhat-1 (Joypurhat Sadar and Panchbibi) AL led Grand Alliance candidate Md. Khaza Shamsul Alam Chowdhury will spend Tk 8 lakh on election. Of the amount, Tk 3.5 lakh will be collected from the relatives and Tk 75,000 will be given by different persons as donations. BNP candidate in the constituency Md. Mozahar Ali Prodhan will spend Tk 11.5 lakh on election. Of the amount, relatives will provide Tk 7.5 lakh while different persons will give Tk 3 lakh as donations. Dewan Muhammad Zahurul Islam, candidate of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, will spend Tk 1.95 lakh. Of the amount, Tk 15,000 will be provided by the relatives and Tk 44,000 will be given by different persons as donations. Wazed Parvez of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) showed his election expenses at Tk 2.10 lakh. Of the amount Tk 20,000 will come from his job, Tk 90,000 from relatives and Tk 1 lakh as donation from different persons. Dewan Bodiuzzaman of CPB will spend Tk 1.25 lakh. Of it, Tk 50,000 will be given by relatives and Tk 50,000 by different donors. In Joypurhat-2 (Khetlal, Akkelpur and Kalai) Grand Alliance nominee Abu Sayed Al-Mahmud Swapan will spend Tk 15 lakh. Of the amount only Tk 2.5 lakh will come from his businesses. Tk 6 lakh will be collected from his relatives while different persons will donate Tk 4.5 lakh. BNP led 4 party alliance candidate Md. Golam Mostafa's election budget is Tk 12 lakh. Of the amount, Tk 3 lakh will be collected from relatives and Tk 7.5 lakh from different donors. BSD candidate Shah Zaman Talukder has estimated his election expense at Tk 1.80 lakh. Of the amount, Tk 25,000 will come from his own business, Tk 75,000 from relatives and Tk 80,000 from party men and different individual donors.