Cash, land and a duplex: Jamaat amir’s crorepati profile in EC affidavit

As nomination papers pour into the Election Commission ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, it is often the fine print of candidates’ affidavits – rather than their speeches – that tells the more revealing story. 

Today, the wealth statement of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman has drawn attention for its detailed picture of assets, income and lifestyle at the top of the Islamist party.

A crorepati, Dr Shafiqur Rahman has reported holding more than Tk 60 lakh in cash, an amount that stands out at a time when most candidates cite modest bank balances. 

Alongside the cash, his affidavit lists 10 bhoris of gold, valued at around Tk 1 lakh when bought, now priced at Tk 22.0 lakh.

One of the key highlights of the declaration is a duplex house in his own name, built on 11.77 acres of land, with a stated value of Tk 27 lakh. 

The Jamaat chief has mentioned physician as his profession, while placing the total estimated value of his assets at Tk 1 crore 2 lakh 73 thousand 640.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman is seeking to enter the next parliament from the Dhaka-15 constituency. 

His nomination papers were submitted on Monday, December 29, at the Election Training Institute (ETI) building in Agargaon by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim, along with the mandatory affidavit detailing his financial standing.

Beyond urban property, the affidavit paints a picture of deep rural holdings. 

The Jamaat chief has declared ownership of 217 decimals of agricultural land, valued at Tk 17 lakh 71 thousand. Agriculture also appears as a steady, if modest, source of income, with an annual earning of Tk 3 lakh reported from the sector.

The document further shows that Dr Shafiqur Rahman has investments worth Tk 27 lakh 16 thousand 880 in bonds, debentures and shares of both listed and non-listed companies. 

His movable assets include electrical goods worth Tk 2 lakh, vehicles valued at Tk 4.5 lakh and furniture worth Tk 2 lakh 40 thousand. 

His current movable assets have been calculated at Tk 47 lakh 25 thousand 834.

Notably, the affidavit states that the Jamaat chief has no loans from any bank or financial institution – a detail that often becomes politically significant as voters compare debt-free candidates with those burdened by liabilities.

As election affidavits become public documents, they frequently trigger wider political debate about wealth accumulation, transparency and the gap between political rhetoric and personal prosperity. 

In that sense, Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s declaration does more than list numbers – it adds another layer to the conversation about power, politics and privilege as Bangladesh heads towards another parliamentary election.