Serious inconsistencies have emerged in the financial disclosures of Sarjis Alam, the 27-year-old National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate for the Panchagarh-1 constituency, raising questions over the accuracy of documents submitted to the Election Commission (EC).
Although Alam lists his profession as “business” in his nomination papers, a detailed comparison of his affidavit and income tax returns reveals a substantial gap in reported earnings and declared assets.
According to his affidavit, Sarjis Alam reported an annual business income of BDT 900,000. However, his income tax return for the fiscal year 2025–26 indicates an income of BDT 2,805,000—more than three times the amount disclosed in his affidavit.
Similarly, discrepancies are evident in asset declarations. While Alam’s affidavit lists total movable and immovable assets at BDT 561,000, his income tax return records assets worth BDT 3,373,000, representing a difference of over BDT 2.8 million.
The following table summarises the differences between Sarjis Alam’s affidavit and tax return:
| Financial Information | Affidavit (BDT) | Income Tax Return (BDT) | Difference (BDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Income | 900,000 | 2,805,000 | 1,905,000 |
| Total Assets | 561,000 | 3,373,000 | 2,812,000 |
| Movable Assets | 561,000 | – | – |
| Cash | 311,000 | – | – |
| Bank Accounts | 100,000 | – | – |
| Electronics & Furniture | 150,000 | – | – |
| Immovable Assets (Agricultural Land) | 500,000 | – | – |
Further scrutiny of his election expense reports shows that Alam expects BDT 1,100,000 in gifts from four supporters and has disclosed a BDT 200,000 loan from an individual. Additional gifts from his in-laws and other relatives are listed, though the exact amounts remain unclear due to illegible figures in the EC-submitted documents; it is assumed that each contributed at least BDT 100,000. He has also received at least BDT 100,000 in loans from his brother-in-law.
Alam paid BDT 52,500 in income tax for the 2025–26 fiscal year. His submitted records also indicate that he is facing a criminal case in Gazipur.
These discrepancies have raised concerns over transparency in the electoral process and the accuracy of candidates’ financial disclosures. Election Commission officials are reportedly reviewing the inconsistencies as a matter of priority, considering them significant for maintaining public trust and electoral integrity.
