Fresh off Bangladesh’s landmark 13th national vote, a citizen-led probe unmasks troubling truths: 43 MPs carry murder allegations into their new roles. Shujan’s data, splashed across Dhaka papers like The Daily Star, demands urgent scrutiny.
Of these, 42 cases were active pre-election; 12 blend fresh and faded charges. Criminal shadows loom large over the legislature.
BNP, election heavyweight, sees 50.24% of MPs in legal crosshairs, trailed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s 47.07%. Totals: 142 pending, 185 prior, 95 dual-case MPs.
Shujan’s Dilip Kumar Sarkar presented this at an affidavit analysis forum in Dhaka, flagging rises versus the 12th parliament.
Qualifications lag: 8 PhDs, 138 postgrads, 93 undergrads, 20 HSC, 17 SSC among 297. Business grips 61.28% (182), lawyers 36, teachers 22, farmers 13, politicians 8, services 5, others 27—a slight shift from before.
Riches abound: 271 MPs top 1 crore taka assets, 187 hit 5 crores+. BNP (201/209), Jamaat (52/68) lead. Crorepati candidates (55.63%) triumphed more, hinting at class barriers in politics.
The February 12 ballot and referendum stayed mostly calm, with few disturbances noted.