Awami League’s income falls by 51% in 2020

The income of the ruling Awami League in 2020 was about Tk10.33 crore, 51% down from that of 2019, according to its audited financial statement submitted to the Election Commission on Sunday.

However, the Awami League’s expenditures increased by Tk1.73 crore in 2020, compared to that of the previous year.

The party’s total income was Tk10,33,43,33 in 2020, which was over Tk21 crore in 2019.

An Awami League team, led by its Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap MP, handed over the financial statement to EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.

Later, Abdus Sobhan Golap told reporters that their party’s income largely came from the subscriptions of its members, sale of nomination forms and donations from various individuals and organizations.  

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In 2020, the income declined as it earned less from the sale of nomination forms, and there was no income from the triennial council of the party in 2019, he said.

Awami League spent Tk9.94 crore in the calendar year, which was Tk1,73,48,356 more than it spent in 2019.

The expenditures went up for conducting relief activities amid the Covid-19 pandemic, providing donations to party-nominated candidates in different elections and the rise in the expenses against different publications.

Awami League office Secretary and prime minister’s special assistant Barrister Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were other members of the Awami League team.

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On Thursday, BNP submitted its 2020 financial statement before the Election Commission.

The income of the BNP was Tk1.23 crore and expenditure was Tk1.75 crore in 2020. The additional expenditure was met from its previous fund.

As per the law, each registered political party is obliged to submit the financial statement of the previous calendar year by July 31, but the Election Commission extended the deadline by one month.