The Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks to provide details on defaulted loans of candidates contesting the upcoming national elections to the Election Commission. The national polls are scheduled for January 7, 2024, and the Financial Institutions Division of the Finance Ministry issued a circular on November 28, which the central bank forwarded to banks.
According to the circular, candidates will be disqualified if they fail to repay defaulted loans seven days before submitting nomination papers. Directors or partners with defaulted loans will face disqualification one day before submitting nomination papers. Banks must promptly collect candidate information after nomination paper submission and report any loan defaulters standing for election to the Election Commission.