Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami spent over Tk 4.49 crore in the 13th parliamentary election, according to official election expenditure statements submitted to the Election Commission (EC).
A total of 50 political parties participated in the February 12 election, but some 25 parties have submitted their election statements to the EC as of Wednesday.
The remaining parties, including the ruling BNP, have to submit the expense statements to the EC.
Jamaat submitted its election expenditure statement, signed by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Tuesday, showing a total expenditure of Tk 4,49,47,972 in the election.
Of the total amount, Tk 4 crore was distributed as donations to 225 candidates, averaging around Tk 1.78 lakh per candidate.
Jamaat reported expenses for designing and printing election manifestos, organising press conferences, hospitality, transportation of election materials, tours by central leaders, and advertising.
It spent Tk 20,90,827 on election campaigning, Tk 8,700 on transport, Tk 14,17,599 on public rallies and tours, Tk 2,85,902 on staff expenses and Tk 9,44,944 on accommodation and administrative costs. An additional Tk 2 lakh was listed under miscellaneous expenses.
A political party shall not spend an amount that exceeds Tk 4.5 crore as election expenses in case of fielding more than 200 candidates, while Tk 3 crore in case of 101-200 candidates, Tk 1.5 crore in case of 51-100 candidates, and Tk 75 lakh in case of 1-50 candidates, according to the Article 44CC of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Every political party nominating any candidate for election shall submit an election expenditure statement within 90 days after the election to the Election Commission for its scrutiny, as per the Article 44CCC of the same law.
MSH
