Dhaka, Jan. 22 -- Nearly 59 percent of the BNP's candidates contesting in the parliamentary polls have outstanding loans, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The findings were disclosed at a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday, where the local chapter of Berlin-based Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation, presented an analysis of candidates' election affidavits.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman addressed the briefing, while the main report was presented by Touhidul Islam, director of the organisation's Communication and Outreach Division.

According to the data presented, a total of 51 political parties are taking part in the national election, with 1,981 candidates in the final ...