Dhaka, February 16, 2026 – Transparency International Bangladesh (TI-B) has reported that in the recently concluded 13th national parliamentary election, 21.4% of the 70 randomly selected constituencies showed instances of one or more fake votes.
The findings were presented at a press conference titled “13th National Parliamentary Election Process and Affidavit-Based Observation” held at Midas Center in Dhaka. Dr. Iftikharuzzaman, Executive Director of TI-B, briefed the media on the overall election observation.
Fake Votes Explained
Dr. Iftikharuzzaman clarified that the 21.4% statistic pertains only to the selected constituencies and does not imply that 21% of total votes nationwide were fraudulent. “This figure represents the proportion of seats in our sample where irregularities were detected,” he noted.
MPs’ Debt and Professional Background
Analysis of candidates’ affidavits shows that the total debt of the newly elected parliamentarians amounts to BDT 11,356 crore – the highest in comparison with the last four parliaments. Half of the elected MPs are linked to some form of debt, with BNP members at 62% and Jamaat-e-Islami members at 16%.
In terms of profession, businessmen continue to dominate, constituting nearly 60% of MPs. While this is a 5% decrease compared to the 12th parliament, it represents a 3% increase compared to the 9th parliament.
Administrative Lapses and Code Violations
TI-B’s observation also noted inactivity and irregularities among government officials, particularly administration and law enforcement personnel, in ensuring a fair election environment. Political parties largely failed to adhere to their commitments to election codes of conduct, and many candidates exceeded the prescribed election expenditure limits.
