AL, BNP’s annual income on the rise

Annual income of Awami League and BNP have been on the rise for the last three years, according to reports submitted to the Election Commission.

AL submitted its income and expenditure report yesterday, the last day of submission. It showed that the party earned Tk 24.23 crore last year and spent Tk 18.88 crore.

According to EC sources, the ruling party’s income was Tk 20.25 crore and expenditure Tk 13.63 crore in 2017. AL earned Tk 4.84 crore and spent Tk 3.01 crore in 2016.

An AL delegation led by HT Imam, the prime minister’s political adviser and co-chairman of the party’s election steering committee, submitted the report to EC.

Meanwhile, BNP submitted its report on Tuesday. According to it, the party’s income was Tk 9.87 crore and expenditure Tk 3.73 crore last year. A BNP team led by party Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal submitted the report.

In 2017, BNP’s income was Tk 9.46 crore and expenditure Tk 4.19 crore; and in 2016, the party earned Tk 4.13 crore and spent Tk 3.99 crore.

HT Imam and Moazzem Hossain both said their income is rising due to an increase in selling nomination papers for various polls, donations and realisation of membership fees and others.

On the other hand, holding political programmes, observing birth and death anniversaries of party leaders, and events organised on national days were the areas of major expenditures.

Jatiya Party report shows that the party’s income was Tk 1.97 crore and expenditure Tk 1.20 crore in 2018.

EC deputy secretary Abdul Halim Khan said 33 out of total 39 registered political parties have submitted their reports till yesterday. The rest six sought additional time, he added.

If any registered political party fails to submit its income and expenditure report for three years in a row, the EC can cancel its registration.

As per the Representation of the People Order, all registered political parties are supposed to have their last year’s income and expenditure audited and submitted between January and July.