BGMEA elections today

More than 2,000 members of the BGMEA, an organisation of ready-made garment manufacturers and exporters, will vote today (April 4) to elect a new leadership amid the widespread coronavirus pandemic.

In the biennial election, 70 candidates have emerged from the Sammilita Parishad and Forum panel to win 35 director posts. This time there are several young candidates in both the panels. Some of their parents had led BGMEA in different terms now and before.

Voting will take place at Hotel Radisson Blu in Dhaka and at BGMEA's own regional office in Chittagong. The winning directors will then elect the president and vice-president.

ABM Shamsuddin, managing director of Hannan Group, is heading the Forum panel of outgoing BGMEA President Rubana Huq, who is also contesting in the election from the same panel.

Jahangir Alam, managing director of the Design and Source, had formed a separate panel called Swadhinata Parishad before the 2019 election to the association, seeking to challenge the nomination of a president through compromise between the two main camps. 

Earlier in 2013, BGMEA participated in the Forum and Sammilita Parishad panel competition. Atiqul Islam, the current mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, became the president from the Sammilita Parishad.

After two years, both the panels went to the leadership election on the basis of compromise. A new board was formed with Siddiqur Rahman as the chairman of the Sammilita Parishad.

After that, the term of the committee was extended from two years to four years (43 months) for various reasons. Attempts were made to bring about a compromise again in 2019, but at the last time the emergence of the Swadhinata Parishad created an obligation to vote. In that year, the Forum and Sammilita Parishad won all the 35 seats in a coalition election.

There has also been some change in voting time due to the increase in coronavirus infection. According to the new schedule, voting will be extended by three hours on Sunday from 9am to 7pm. The previous time was from 10am to 5pm.

According to the schedule, 1,853 garment factory owners in Dhaka region and 461 garment factory owners in Chittagong region will cast their votes.

BGMEA's election management board has taken a number of precautionary measures to avoid risks considering the overall situation. However, the candidates are skeptical about bringing voters to the center and reducing health risks.

Chairman of the Electoral Board Prof Syed Farhat Anwar said, "We are obliged to complete the voting in accordance with the rules of health. The government also plans to hold elections; and the government has also instructed to follow the hygiene rules. The 18-point directive will be followed with utmost importance. ”

"Local government elections can be controlled by our independent election commission. But the final decision on such trade body elections is made by the Ministry of Commerce. We have nothing to say about this,” added Farhat.

Chairman of the Election Board, Professor Farhat, said that the help of law enforcement agencies has been sought to maintain law and order in the elections. Measures are also being taken to release the results as soon as possible.

Earlier in 2013, BGMEA participated in the Forum and Sammilita Parishad panel competition. Atiqul Islam, the current mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, became the president from the Sammilita Parishad.

After two years, both the panels went to the leadership election on the basis of compromise. A new board was formed with Siddiqur Rahman as the chairman of the Sammilita Parishad.

After that, the term of the committee was extended from two years to four years (43 months) for various reasons. Attempts were made to bring about a compromise again in 2019, but at the last time the emergence of the Swadhinata Parishad created an obligation to vote. In that year, the Forum and Sammilita Parishad won all the 35 seats in a coalition election.