Verifying wealth of candidates difficult in short timeframe: Says ACC chief

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen admitted yesterday that verifying the wealth information submitted by candidates in their election affidavits is difficult within a short timeframe.

“There is a big gap between the time candidates submit their asset statements and the time required for the ACC to conduct a proper inquiry. This makes it hard for us to detect discrepancies immediately,” he said, as scrutiny of candidates’ declared wealth comes into focus ahead of the polls.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after attending the 22nd anniversary programme of Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) at the ACC headquarters media centre in Dhaka.

Against the backdrop of the upcoming national election, Momen said corruption remains one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges and stressed the need for honest and accountable leadership.

The ACC chief urged journalists and the public to help the commission by reporting any suspicious or misleading information found in candidates’ affidavits.

“If you have doubts about any candidate’s declared assets, please inform us. You can also conduct your own investigations and support our efforts,” he said, adding that no one who hides wealth should be allowed to come to power. “We do not want anyone who has concealed assets in their affidavits to rule the country,” he added.