AL spent only a third of its income last year

The ruling Awami League had spent around a third of its total income in 2014.

Last year, the ruling party earned around Tk 90 million while it spent around Tk 35 million, sources in the party told The Daily Star.

The AL would submit the report to the Election Commission tomorrow, the last day for submitting the report.

In 2013, the ruling party earned Tk 120 million while it spent Tk 60 million. In 2012, the AL earned Tk 100 million and spent Tk 90 million.

Party President Sheikh Hasina initially finalised the preliminary report in a meeting with her party colleagues and an official of a chartered accounttancy firm at the Gono Bhaban last night.

 The meeting was attended by party treasurer AHN Ashikur Rahman, Assistant Secretary ABM Reazul Kabir Kawsar and CA firm official advocate Khandaker Maniruzzaman, the sources said.

At the meeting, the party finalised the preliminary audit report of its income and expenditure of last year. Hasina would sit with them again today to finalise the report.

According to the sources, the main source of the party's income in the year was subscription fees from the members of its central committee, advisory council, national executive council, lawmakers, well-wishers, sales of books and old papers, and interests from bank deposits.

The party's expenditure included maintenance of its Dhanmondi office and its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue, salaries of employees at party offices, publication of “Uttaran”, the official mouthpiece of the party, organising party programmes, printing banners and festoons, advertisements, conducting relief activities, etc, the sources said.

The AL has now around Tk 90 million deposited in the Mercantile Bank, Trust Bank and UCBL Bank, said party insiders.

All the registered parties have to submit their annual audit reports certified by a registered chartered accountancy firm within July 31 the following year, according to Political Parties Registration Rule, 2008.

The EC last month had sent reminders to all 40 political parties about the July 31 deadline.

The AL, however, failed to submit its audit reports within the deadline and sought an extension until August 31.