Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday sought clarification from the Election Commission (EC) over the requirement to disclose income tax information of candidates’ dependents in the nomination papers for the 13th national parliamentary election.
A three-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, raised the issue during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at his Nirbachan Bhaban office.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan said although the Representation of the People Order (RPO) does not mention children, the nomination form requires aspirants to submit income tax details of their children, which has created widespread confusion.
“There is a question everywhere because many candidates’ children are not dependent on them. Many are self-earning, some live abroad, and many pay taxes independently. This has created complexity, which is why we wrote to the Election Commission and also discussed the matter today,” he said.
He said the CEC and other commissioners explained that the provision applies only to dependent children and assured that a clear explanation would be provided, clarifying that the term ‘children’ in this context refers specifically to dependent children.
During the meeting, BNP also raised concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies on social media platforms during the election period.
“If anyone spreads propaganda or defamatory materials using AI or other technologies, the Election Commission must act strongly. Stopping such activities takes time, but if fake content can be quickly identified through fact-checking, the damage caused by negative campaigning can be significantly reduced,” said Nazrul Islam.
Asked whether the BNP discussed extending the deadline for nomination submission, he said the party had made no decision on the issue.
Responding to a question about Jamaat-e-Islami’s rally scheduled for January 3, he said the electoral campaigning is currently banned but organisational activities of political parties are not suspended. “Whether such activities violate the electoral code of conduct will be determined by the Election Commission.”
On whether BNP has finalised seat-sharing arrangements with its alliance partners, he said, “Nothing is final until the last day. Is anything ever truly final?”
In reply to another question, Nazrul Islam Khan confirmed that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman would contest from Bogura, adding that any decision regarding his contest from Dhaka (Dhaka-17) would be officially announced by the party.