The third phase of the sixth Upazila Parishad Elections showcases a significant presence of businesspeople, with 67% of the chairman candidates hailing from the business sector. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed that 106 of these candidates are millionaires.

In addition to the chairman hopefuls, 11 vice-chairman candidates and five candidates for the reserved vice-chairman posts for women are also millionaires.

This information was disclosed by TIB at a press conference held at their Dhanmondi office on Monday. The analysis was based on affidavits submitted to the Election Commission ahead of the third phase of upazila elections.

The third phase will see elections in 90 upazila parishads on May 29. Initially, elections were scheduled in 112 upazilas, but all candidates in Pirojpur Bhandaria Upazila were elected unopposed, and elections in two upazilas were postponed for other reasons, while 18 were postponed due to Cyclone Remal.

According to TIB, 66.53% of chairman candidates identified themselves as businesspeople, followed by 12.6% as farmers. Lawyers (7.69%) and teachers (4.37%) held the third and fourth positions, respectively.

Among vice-chairman aspirants, 68.99% identified as businessmen, while 48.54% of candidates for reserved vice-chairman posts identified as housewives, and 32% as businesspeople.

The dominance of businesspeople in local body elections has been consistent. In the second phase of the upazila parishad election on May 21, 71% of chairman candidates were businessmen, totaling 105. In the first phase on May 8, 70% were from the business community.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman raised concerns about whether businessmen are entering politics through proper channels or using it as a means to gain benefits. He noted that data indicates an abnormal increase in income and wealth for those in power, suggesting that the interests of the general populace may be deprioritized.

TIB highlighted that, similar to the Jatiya Sangsad election, the dominance of business candidates in local body elections is rising.