‘False affidavit’ in polls: ACC seeks legal action against Hasina

The ACC has formally requested the Election Commission to take legal action against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly providing false information in her asset declaration during the 9th national election in 2008.

Discrepancies were found between Hasina's affidavit submitted to the EC and the actual asset records verified by the commission, said ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen at a press briefing at his office in Segunbagicha yesterday.

"There are two parts...," he said. "One has been referred to the EC. The other -- concerning inconsistencies between her affidavit and asset declaration submitted to the ACC  -- will be dealt with by us."

According to the ACC, during an investigation in 2007, Hasina submitted a statement of assets to the commission. That declaration and the affidavit submitted to the EC on November 19, 2008, ahead of the 9th parliamentary polls, were later reviewed.

The review found that Hasina declared 6.50 acres of agricultural land worth Tk 1.75 lakh in her EC affidavit. However, the ACC found that she actually owned 28.41 acres of land at the time, valued at Tk 33.66 lakh.