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candidates, 26 (72.22 percent) are multimillionaires, while among Jamaat-e-Islami’s nine candidates, five (56 percent) are multimillionaires. Additionally, the sole candidate from Jatiya Ganotantrik Party is also a multimillionaire.

Candidates with an average annual income of more than Tk 10 lakh account for 38.78 percent (19 people); among directly elected general seat MPs, this rate is 67.9 percent.

However, overall, in the 13th parliamentary election, including directly elected and reserved women’s seat members, the total number of multimillionaires is 269, which is 77.3 percent.

According to the affidavit information, the highest number of women candidates in reserved seats are lawyers: 26.5 percent.

The second highest profession is business (22.5 percent).

In addition, 12.2 percent are homemakers, 10.2 percent are teachers and 8.2 percent are directly involved in politics. Doctors account for 4.1 percent and the other professionals also make up 4.1 percent.

At least three candidates for women’s reserved seats have more than 100 bhori of gold ornaments either in their own names or jointly with their spouses. Among them, one candidate alone has 502 bhori of gold ornaments in her own name.

Analysis of the total assets of multimillionaire candidates in reserved seats shows that their total immovable assets exceeding Tk 1 crore amount to Tk 66 crore and total movable assets amount to Tk 78 crore.

However, when immovable and movable assets are added separately, the total amount of assets stands at Tk 152 crore.

Party-wise, the rate of indebtedness is equal for BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates at 22.22 percent. However, compared to reserved seat candidates (20.41 percent), directly elected MPs (50.84 percent) have 2.49 times higher indebtedness.

The analysis also highlights that 20.41 percent of candidates are in some form of debt or liability.

The average age of candidates for reserved seats is 52.17 years.

By age group, the highest number of candidates falls within the 45–54 age range (16 people or 32.74 percent). This is followed by nine candidates aged 35–44 and 12 candidates aged 55–65.

Among BNP’s 36 candidates, 13 are aged 45–54, 10 are aged 55–65 and five are above 65 years.

On the other hand, among Jamaat’s 9 candidates, one is aged 35–44, three are aged 45–54, two are aged 55–65, and three are above 65 years.

BNP has two candidates aged between 25–34, while Jamaat has none in this age group.

However, the average age of women in the parliament is 58.5 years.

In terms of political party distribution of reserved women’s seats, 20.4 percent of women candidates belong to Islamic parties and 79.6 percent belong to independents and other parties.

While the participation of highly educated women and professionals, including lawyers, in reserved women’s seats is positive, like general seats, the influence of wealth and the dominance of certain professions are also noticeable here, the impact of which may be far-reaching, TIB said.