In a significant development just forty-eight hours before the national polls, a substantial financial transaction totalling 40 million BDT has been frozen in Natore. The intervention occurred on Tuesday afternoon following a formal complaint lodged by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for the Natore-2 (Sadar and Naldanga) constituency, Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu.
The Anatomy of the Transaction
The funds were reportedly routed from Dhaka through the Sonali Bank Natore branch to a specific account held at the Islami Bank Natore branch. Upon discovering the transfer, Mr Talukdar Dulu immediately approached the District Returning Officer, asserting that the sudden movement of such vast capital was a precursor to electoral malpractice.
Following a swift consultation between the Returning Officer and senior banking executives, the transaction was officially suspended. The decision marks a high point in the administrative efforts to maintain a “level playing field” as the country nears its election day.
Divergent Perspectives on the Funds
The suspension has ignited a debate between political integrity and banking operations. Mr Talukdar Dulu, speaking to journalists at his regional office, maintained that withdrawing such a sum on the eve of the election is highly irregular. “There is a palpable fear that these funds were earmarked for vote-buying activities,” he stated. “For the sake of a transparent election, this freeze was absolutely essential.”
Conversely, Rezaul Karim, an Assistant Vice President (AVP) at the Islami Bank Natore branch, dismissed the allegations. He argued that 40 million BDT is a routine amount for a branch of their scale. According to Mr Karim, the requisition was submitted to ensure that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) remain solvent during the upcoming bank holidays associated with the election period.
Key Stakeholder Responses
| Official / Entity | Role | Statement / Action Taken |
| Ruhul Quddus Talukdar | BNP Candidate | Alleged the 40 million BDT was for “vote-buying.” |
| Asma Shahin | District Returning Officer | Ordered the freeze following the candidate’s petition. |
| Rezaul Karim | AVP, Islami Bank | Claimed funds were for routine ATM replenishment. |
| Ujjal Kumar | AGM, Sonali Bank | Confirmed the suspension following higher directives. |
Regulatory Oversight and Electoral Integrity
Asma Shahin, the Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer for Natore, confirmed that the administration took “necessary steps” to investigate the legitimacy of the transfer. The freeze comes amidst heightened scrutiny by the Bangladesh Bank and the Election Commission over large-scale cash movements.
In the local context, 40 million BDT represents a significant sum, capable of funding massive logistical operations. While the bank maintains its “business as usual” stance, the proximity to the election has rendered any such transfer a matter of national security. The funds will remain inaccessible until a full audit of the recipient account is completed by the relevant authorities.