Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami reported an income of Tk 28.97 crore in its 2024 audit submitted to the Election Commission (EC), but the party has no bank account in its name.
Following the report, questions have raised about the sources and whereabouts of the funds.
The report, signed by Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, was filed with the EC on July 29. It explicitly states that the party does not maintain any bank account to manage income and expenditure.
EC officials said political parties must submit their registered bank account numbers, bank names, and recent account statements along with details of funding sources as per registration requirements. Failure to comply recently led the commission to issue letters to new parties.
When asked if the EC would accept Jamaat’s audit report mentioning the absence of a bank account, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told Banglanews, “You have pointed out a valid issue. I will look into it.”
Repeated calls to Mia Golam Parwar seeking clarification on where the income was kept and the source of expenditures went unanswered. Jamaat has not issued any statement on the matter.
The audit shows Jamaat earned Tk 28,972,999 and spent Tk 23,733,817 in the previous Bengali calendar year.
Of the income, Tk 16.56 crore came from membership dues, Tk 3.78 million from executive or advisory committee contributions or other dues, and Tk 11.86 crore from donations by individuals or organisations. The party also earned Tk 911,290 from sales of publications and Tk 721,079 from other dues.
The report notes a previous balance of Tk 10.49 crore.
On expenditure, Jamaat spent Tk 6.57 crore on salaries and bonuses, Tk 2.68 crore on housing and administration, and Tk 246,018 on utility bills including electricity, water, and gas. Postal, telephone, internet, courier, and newspaper costs totalled Tk 844,526, while hospitality expenses amounted to Tk 1.09 million.
Campaigning and transport costs were Tk 2.70 crore; travel expenses, Tk 1.27 crore; and public meetings, Tk 1.94 million. Candidate donations totalled Tk 11.05 crore. Religious event expenses were Tk 3.27 million, and other costs came to Tk 1.26 crore.
Jamaat had last submitted income and expenditure reports before its registration was cancelled in 2013. Following the restoration of its registration this year, the party has filed its accounts after a decade.
MSK/
