2 candidates hid British citizenship in affidavits: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said that at least two candidates contesting the 13th parliamentary election concealed information on their dual citizenship in their submitted affidavits.

Both the candidates are British citizens but their affidavits made no mention of this, said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, at a press conference held at the organisation’s office in the capital on Thursday.

He said the irregularities were identified after analysing the affidavits they had submitted, he said.

Iftekharuzzaman said 21 candidates declared in their affidavits that they held foreign citizenship but later renounced it to become eligible to contest the election.

“However, based on the information we have, at least two candidates did not disclose their dual citizenship in their affidavits. The data indicate that they are British citizens,” he said.

As per law, candidates with dual citizenship must declare it in their affidavits and provide proof of renunciation of foreign nationality, he said.

For policy reasons, they have not revealed the names of the two candidates, he said.

“We have the relevant documents and the matter will be reported to the authorities concerned,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman added.

At the press conference, TIB also highlighted multiple discrepancies related to undeclared overseas assets.

One candidate reportedly purchased a property worth nearly £1.4 million (about Tk2.10 billion) in the UK in 2013 under the name of a declared dependent, which was not mentioned in the affidavit. Credible information suggests the property was bought through a shell company registered in Dubai, UAE.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said another candidate did not disclose any personal foreign assets but a flat in Dubai is registered under his spouse’s name.

Another candidate declared ownership of three overseas flats in the affidavit but in reality, the number is at least three times higher with an estimated investment of Tk350 million.

TIB’s analysis further revealed that one candidate failed to declare ownership of any foreign business though he is associated with at least 11 foreign companies, eight of which are currently operational.

Besides, one candidate’s company registration in a tax haven has long been an open secret, yet there was no mention of it in the affidavit, he said.

The organisation has called on the Election Commission and relevant authorities to take swift and effective action.