Using Credit Information Bureau (CIB) reports from Bangladesh Bank, returning officers invalidated a significant number during scrutiny, with 82 cancellations directly linked to loan default. Earlier, Bangladesh Bank officials had indicated that at least 100 defaulters had initially sought to contest the election. Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), loan defaulters are ineligible to contest parliamentary elections. Learning from that experience, Bangladesh Bank adopted a more cautious approach this time, issuing special instructions to banks. While scrutiny this time is visibly tougher, officials concede that completely blocking loan defaulters remains impossible without legal reform.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 05, 2026 16:41 UTC