AHMED DEEPTO

Sixty-six days after the issuance of the gazette of the 13th national parliamentary election, the Election Commission is yet to receive expenditure statements from every candidates.

Although the stipulated deadline expired a month ago, the EC has extended it by a month. Still, several candidates remain non-compliant, leaving the constitutional body waiting for full disclosure.

By law, candidates must file their expenditure statements with returning officers within 30 days of the results being published. On February 25, the EC issued a letter instructing candidates to submit their statements by March 15.

The gazette with elected lawmakers was published on February 13, the day after the national polls.

A total of 2,033 candidates contested in the election. Excluding three constituencies, Sherpur-3, and Chattogram-2, -4, the number of contenders stood at 2,011. Of them, 92 candidates have yet to submit their election expenditure statements, according to EC officials.

Of the 56 registered political parties, 50 fielded their nominees in the polls. As per the Representation of the People Order (RPO), parties are also required to submit their election expense statements to the EC within 90 days of the gazette notification.

WHAT LAW SAYS

According to article 44(c) of the RPO, every contesting On

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