The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has officially formed two election boards to oversee the forthcoming elections for its board of directors and office bearers for the 2025-2027 term. The announcement comes as part of a letter dated 27th February, sent by BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain to the Directorate of Trade Organisations (DTO) under the Ministry of Commerce, requesting necessary measures to facilitate the upcoming biennial elections.
The newly established boards consist of the Election Board and the Election Appellate Board. Mohammad Iqbal, a former additional secretary, will chair the Election Board, with Barrister Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin and Ashraf Ahmed, former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving as members. Meanwhile, the Election Appellate Board will be chaired by Nasim Monzur, former president of the Bangladesh Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association. Joining him are Rupali Haque Chowdhury, former president of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and former additional secretary Kudrat-e-Khuda as members. Abu Mukhles Alamgir Hossain, director (policy and planning) at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), has been appointed as the secretary to the Election Appellate Board in line with the Election Rules and Procedures.
The formation of these boards follows the appointment of Md Anwar Hossain as the BGMEA administrator on 20th October 2024, with a mandate to oversee the elections within 120 days and ensure a fair process. His tenure was later extended for another 120 days by the Ministry of Commerce.
In terms of the election, BGMEA members traditionally contest under two panels: Sammilita Parishad and Forum. The Forum, which is BGMEA’s election-centric alliance, has announced Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, managing director of Rising Fashions, as its panel leader for the upcoming elections. This announcement was made at an event held in Dhaka on 20th November 2024.
On the other hand, Sammilita Parishad has chosen Abul Kalam, managing director of Chaity Group and vice president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), as its panel leader. Former presidents of Sammilita Parishad introduced Kalam to industry stakeholders during an event in Dhaka on 28th November.
As the election process unfolds, both panels are gearing up to present their visions and strategies to the BGMEA members ahead of the crucial elections.
