Most of the contenders set to run in the second phase of the upazila parishad polls are businessmen, while a little over one-fifth of them have mentioned agriculture as their professions.
The information was found in the affidavits that these contenders have submitted with their nomination papers to the Election Commission.
According to the affidavits placed by 279 contestants in 63 upazilas, 171, vying for the post of chairmen, are businessmen by profession. This represents more than 61% of the contenders. A total of 63 contestants said they were in agriculture.
On February 22, polls will be held in a total of 117 upzilas around the country where 515 candidates are running for the post of chairmen.
There are 22 teachers and 21 lawyers. There was a time when people from these two professions dominated the list of candidates in both national and local elections.
Over 80% of the lawmakers elected in the 9th parliamentary polls, held in December 2008, were businessmen.
The affidavits also show that a significant majority of the contenders running for chairmen posts are graduates.
A total of 43 of them have post-graduate degrees and one has a PhD.
The numbers of candidates with secondary and higher secondary education are 36 and 51 respectively. Some 14 candidates mentioned that they had not studied up to the secondary level. One contestant said he was “SSC failed.”
Five candidates declared themselves as “literate” while 16 of them said they were “self-educated.”
Interestingly, contestants, who said their profession was business, were also the ones with the highest criminal records.
Among the 21 contenders, who said they were teachers, 11 have cases against them.
Shah Alam Sarkar, a chairman contender of Palashbari Upazila, is facing the highest 16 cases.
All candidates from Ishwarganj, Kaptai, Kishorganj, Gopalganj Sadar, Jhikargacha, Thanchi, Debidwar, Barisal Sadar, Manikganj Sadar and Roanchari Upazila have clean sheets.
In Kaptai and Munsiganj upazilas, the highest qualification of the contestants is the SSC. In Khetlal and Boalmari upazilas, the most qualified contenders have passed HSC examinations. In Chirirbazar upazila, all candidates are graduates.
