BNP candidate and the party’s central organising secretary, Shama Obayed, has renounced her United States citizenship ahead of the announcement of the 13th national parliamentary election schedule on 20 November.

This information was disclosed in the affidavit submitted by Shama Obayed along with her nomination papers to the Election Commission.

In the affidavit, Shama Obayed has identified herself as a businessperson. She is listed as the Managing Director of Allure Builders Limited, Chairman of Avosilk Solution, and General Secretary of the Institute for Global Co-operation Foundation (IGCF).

According to her affidavit, her annual income is reported as Tk 21,89,071.

Her declaration of immovable assets shows an acquisition value of Tk 6.93 crore, with an estimated current value of around Tk 9 crore. 

However, she did not mention any value for the 450 percent of land she inherited. The inherited non-agricultural land includes a 3,245-square-foot flat in Banani, Dhaka, which she has valued at Tk 6.93 crore.

Speaking to the media, Shama Obayed said, “Previously, there was no strict requirement regarding dual citizenship. This time, I renounced my US citizenship in advance in order to contest the election. When informed again by the US State Department this year, I formally relinquished my citizenship there.”