Based on an analysis of affidavits submitted by candidates with their nomination papers, civil rights organization Shushashoner Jono Nagorić (Shujan) reported that out of 1,945 candidates in the election, 1,142 were businessmen, accounting for 58.71 percent. Of these, 170 out of 265 candidates of Awami League, 173 out of 262 candidates of Jatiya Party and 302 out of 433 independent candidates were identified as businessmen.
An analysis of Shujaan’s data and the unofficial list of winners published by the Election Commission shows that 194 of the winners of the 298 seats in the 12th parliamentary election are businessmen. Of these, 145 are from Awami League, nine from Jatiya Party, one from Jasod, one from Kalyan Party and 38 are independents.
Prothom Alo’s analysis shows that at least five additional businessmen outside Shujan’s list won the election, including four from the Awami League and one independent candidate. In total, at least 199 businessmen are set to become members of the national parliament, with 40 of them identifying themselves as politicians and farmers, many of whom are also involved in business.
* more to follow …