The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has identified 76 candidates as loan-defaulters who have submitted their nomination papers to the Election Commission for participating in the forthcoming national elections slated for December 29.

Of them, most are influential political and business leaders from two major political parties, the BB sources said.

"We have received list of 2,139 candidates who have submitted their nominations to the Election Commission. The Credit Information Bureau (CIB) of the BB found that a total of 76 candidates were loan defaulters among the lot," the BB Executive Director Khandaker Mazharul Haq told the reporters at his office yesterday.

"Besides the financial data of another 31 defaulting candidates are now under scrutiny," he added. The defaulters list might be extended, according to BB sources.

The central bank executive hinted that senior political and business leaders from two major political parties are in the defaulters' list. But, he expressed his inability to disclose the name in the defaulters' list.

"Bangladesh Bank sent the defaulters' list to the Election Commission last night," the BB Executive Director said.

Of the figure, a total 35 defaulters have already received stay orders from the courts, he informed.

Replying to a question, he said that the central bank has instructed the commercial banks to ensure presence of their executives at the time of scrutiny of nomination papers today (December 3) and tomorrow (December 4) to identify the defaulters.

As per the law, the loan defaulters are ineligible to take part in the elections, but they will be given opportunity to defend themselves during the hearings. Representation by the banks during the hearings would facilitate banks to establish their points.

The BB will appoint lawyers immediately to solve the loan-default cases, according to the official.

The commercial banks should play a responsible role about the loan defaulters, he hoped.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bank instructed the commercial banks to use all possible means to realise the default loans ahead of the elections.