An analysis of affidavits for candidates in reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election shows that a majority are both highly educated and financially well-off, with around 65% identified as millionaires and more than 63% holding postgraduate or higher degrees.
The findings, based on an analysis of 49 candidates by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), highlight a growing concentration of wealth and educational attainment among nominees for reserved seats.
In terms of education, candidates for reserved seats surpass those elected in general constituencies.
About 63.3% of women candidates hold postgraduate or higher degrees, compared to 50.7% among directly elected MPs.
Overall, 52.63% of all MPs in the current parliament -- combining general and reserved seats -- have postgraduate-level education.
Among the women candidates, 27% are graduates, while smaller proportions have completed higher secondary or secondary education.
The analysis also reveals a significant presence of wealth among the nominees.
Of the 49 candidates, 32 (65.31%) are millionaires based on their declared movable and immovable assets.
Among party lines, 72.22% of BNP candidates and 56% of Jamaat-e-Islami candidates fall into the millionaire category. The sole candidate from JAGPA is also a millionaire.
Professionally, lawyers make up the largest group among women candidates at 26.5%, followed by businesspersons at 22.5%.
Other professions include housewives (12.2%), teachers (10.2%), and those directly involved in politics (8.2%), with smaller shares of doctors and other professions.
Asset declarations show that the combined immovable assets of millionaire candidates exceed Tk66 crore, while movable assets total Tk78 crore, bringing overall declared assets to Tk152 crore.
At least three candidates reported owning more than 100 bhori of gold ornaments, with one declaring 502 bhori.
Despite high asset ownership, about 20.41% of candidates reported some level of debt, significantly lower than the 50.84% debt rate among directly elected MPs.
The average age of candidates is 52.17 years, with the largest group falling between 45 and 54 years.
BNP has nominated the highest number of candidates (36), followed by Jamaat-e-Islami (9), while several smaller parties and independents fielded one candidate each.
TIB noted that while the presence of educated women from diverse professional backgrounds is a positive development, the dominance of wealth and certain professions raises questions about representation and inclusivity.
