The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami tops the list in terms of income among the country's 28 registered political parties for the 2024 calendar year as per its financial report submitted to the Election Commission.
According to documents submitted by Jamaat-e-Islami, the party's total income in 2024 was Tk28,97,02,299, while total expenditure stood at Tk23,73,38,177.
The opening balance for that year was reported as Tk 10,49,45,101.
Jamaat submitted this financial statement on 29 July, signed by the party's Secretary General, Mia Golam Parwar.
The statement also mentions that the party has no bank account.
Before the party's registration was cancelled, Jamaat-e-Islami last submitted its income and expenditure statement in 2013. After regaining registration this year, the party has presented its financial documents again after a gap of one decade.
The money inflow
A detailed review of Jamaat-e-Islami's 2024 income and expenditure statement reveals that the party's main sources of income are clearly identifiable.
The largest portion of income came from monthly subscriptions paid by activists and members, amounting to Tk 16,56,42,162.
In addition, the party earned Tk37,87,149 from contributions by the Executive Committee and Advisory Council.
Although comparatively smaller, this reflects active financial support from the leadership.
Among the party's sources of income, donations from various individuals and organisations were significant, totalling Tk11,86,38,619.
Additionally, income from the sale of the party's newspapers, magazines, and books amounted to Tk9,11,290, while other contributions brought in Tk7,21,079.
Money outflow
While looking into the expenditure, the party spends the largest part of its income on salaries, allowances, and bonuses for party workers, totalling Tk6,57,67,873.
Another big source of expenditure has been donations to candidates, amounting to Tk11,05,15,420.
Campaigning and transportation costs Tk2,70,06,563, while housing and administrative expenses totalled Tk2,68,07,495.
Beyond these, the party's expenditure also include electricity, water and gas bills, postage, telephone, internet, courier services, newspaper, hospitality, religious events, and other costs associated with organising party meetings, events, and cultural or social activities.
According to the reports, Jamaat-e-Islami's income in 2024 was nearly double that of the BNP, while its expenditure was almost five times higher compared to the BNP.
Income and expenditure of other parties
On 27 July, the BNP submitted its income and expenditure statement.
According to that report, from 1 January to 31 December 2024, the BNP's total income was TK15,65,94,842, while total expenditure stood at Tk4,80,04,823. The remaining balance amounted to Tk10,85,90,019, which was deposited in the party's bank account.
JaPa has also submitted its income and expenditure statement to the Election Commission, a total income of Tk2,64,38,938 and total expenditure of Tk1,79,88,044.
The AB Party reported an income of TK1,37,94,344.
The Ganadhikar Parishad reported an income of Tk46,04,300 and an expenditure of Tk45,96,088.
The income and expenditure of the remaining parties are significantly lower in comparison.
The Election Commission said there are currently 51 registered political parties. However, with the Awami League's registration suspended, the EC sent notices to 50 parties to submit their financial statements.
Among these, 28 parties submitted their accounts within the stipulated time, including Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, National Party, AB Party, and Ganadhikar Parishad.
Ten political parties have applied to the Election Commission for an extension of the submission deadline.
These parties include Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Andolan (BNAM), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Muslim League (BML), Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh National Party (BJP), Bangladesh National Party, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Bangladesh National Awami Party.
Eleven parties did not respond within the stipulated time. These include Krishok Shromik Janata League, Bikalpdhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), Zaker Party, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD), Bangladesh Muslim League, Gonofront, Bangladesh NAP, Trinomul BNP, Bangladesh JASAD, and Gonosanghati Andolan.
Additionally, the Bangladesh Development Party received its registration on 2 February 2024. Therefore, the requirement to submit an audit report for that calendar year did not apply to them, and the Election Commission has taken this into consideration.
Meanwhile, as the National Citizen Party (NCP) has been primarily selected for registration, and is yet to get full recognition, the rule of submitting financial statements did not apply to them.
According to the 2008 Registration Act, any political party that fails to submit its income and expenditure statements three consecutive times will have its registration cancelled. Bangladesh Awami League, whose registration was suspended, was not required to submit its accounts for the first time.
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