Tasnima Zara, who recently resigned from the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) and is now contesting the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, has announced that she will utilise nearly BDT 4.7 million collected from the public to fund her election campaign. According to the affidavit she submitted to the Election Commission, the funds gathered through public contributions will not be returned but will be fully allocated to her electoral expenses.
In her sworn statement, Zara stated that she had raised the amount through a “crowdfunding” initiative. The total sum collected stands at BDT 46,93,000. The fundraising drive was launched via a Facebook post on 22 December, during her tenure with the NCP, calling for contributions to support her election fund. Remarkably, within just 29 hours, the entire amount was deposited into her bank account through mobile banking and traditional banking channels.
In addition to these public contributions, Zara disclosed in her affidavit that she would also utilise BDT 23 lakh from her personal bank deposits and other income, along with GBP 3,200 (approximately BDT 5.27 lakh) from foreign earnings, to cover campaign expenses.
According to her declaration, Zara earns BDT 7,13,597 annually from her medical profession in Bangladesh. Her foreign income, primarily in British pounds, amounts to GBP 3,200, bringing her total annual income to approximately BDT 12,40,597. Furthermore, her movable assets are valued at BDT 22,30,190, while she does not possess any immovable property.
Her husband, Khaled Saifullah, has also declared foreign income of GBP 39,800, equivalent to roughly BDT 65,05,000, highlighting a significant household earning capacity.
The following table summarises Tasnima Zara’s financial declaration related to her election campaign:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crowdfunded contributions | BDT 46,93,000 |
| Personal bank deposits & income | BDT 23,00,000 |
| Foreign income (GBP 3,200) | BDT 5,27,000 |
| Total campaign fund available | BDT 75,20,000 |
| Annual income (local + foreign) | BDT 12,40,597 |
| Movable assets | BDT 22,30,190 |
| Immovable assets | None |
| Husband’s foreign income (GBP 39,800) | BDT 65,05,000 |
Zara’s candidacy marks a unique example of modern political fundraising in Bangladesh, showcasing the increasing role of digital crowdfunding in electoral campaigns. Her firm decision not to return the public funds underscores her commitment to deploying them fully in pursuit of her parliamentary ambitions.