IAB the biggest spender: EC

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) spent more money than any other political party during campaigning for the 11th parliamentary polls held, shows Election Commission data unveiled yesterday. 

The party spent Tk 2.14 crore in running campaigns aside from candidates’ personal expenditures. Bangladesh Nationalist Front spent the second highest amount -- Tk 1.19 crore.

Workers Party of Bangladesh spent Tk 1.14 crore, BNP Tk 1.11 crore, Awami League Tk 1.05 crore and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) Tk 70.24 lakh, according to the poll expenditure reports of the parties submitted to the EC, as per an RPO provision.

A party that fielded more than two hundred candidates can spend Tk 4.5 crore; for one hundred to less than 50, parties can spend Tk 3 crore; and for fifty to a hundred candidates, a party can spend Tk 1 crore.

Parties fielding candidates in fewer than 50 seats have an expenditure cap of Tk 75 lakh, according to the RPO. 

The EC data also shows that seven of 39 registered parties did not spend any money for running the campaign: Liberal Democratic Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Jaitya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Gonoforum, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party and Bangladesh Sangiskritik Muktijote.