In the lead-up to the Bangladesh Knitwear Importers’ and Exporters’ Association (BKMEA) election scheduled for 10th May, a total of 42 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for 35 available posts. Notably, 39 of these candidates are running under a single panel led by current BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem.
The nomination papers were submitted on the morning of 9th April at the BKMEA central office in Chasara, Narayanganj. Shafiullah Chowdhury, the chairman of the Election Commission overseeing the BKMEA election, confirmed the acceptance of the nominations.
While 39 candidates are aligned with Hatem’s panel, three candidates are contesting independently. Chowdhury expressed optimism for the election, stating, “We are hoping to conduct a smooth election under the current circumstances. Voters will cast their ballots at two polling centers, one in Dhaka and another in Narayanganj, ensuring that only registered voters will be allowed on the premises.”
Shahjahan Siddiqui, a member of BKMEA’s election forum, highlighted the integration of digital technology in the voting process. “As soon as a candidate votes at one center, the other center will receive real-time updates on the screen,” Siddiqui explained, adding that this will enable poll officials to track voter participation live.
In response to questions about the election’s integrity, Hatem praised the capabilities of the election board, stating, “We have a highly efficient election board. The chairman and members have experience in various elections for BGMEA and other organizations. We are confident that this board will ensure a free and fair election.”
The submission of nominations was attended by other high-ranking BKMEA officials, marking a significant step toward the upcoming election.
