The biennial election of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) has been postponed once again.
In a letter signed by Chowdhury Samia Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, on Tuesday, the election scheduled for October 9 at the Navy Convention Hall in Chattogram was officially suspended.
Alongside the postponement, the government has dissolved the current board of the association and appointed Sharmin Jahan, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) of Chattogram Division, as administrator.
The decision follows the September 18 application of Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury, the September 8 application of Sakibul Islam and Syed Iqbal Ali Shimul, and a hearing conducted by the Director General of the Trade Organizations Division on September 30.
A circular issued by Muhammad Rehan Uddin, Director General of the Trade Organizations Division, mandates that the appointed administrator update the voter list and organize a fair election within 120 days.
Upon completion, the responsibilities will be handed over to the newly elected committee, with a report submitted to the ministry.
When contacted, Deputy Secretary Chowdhury Samia Yasmin declined to comment on the specific reasons behind the decision.
Moshiul Alam, vice-chairman candidate of the Oikya Parishad panel, expressed frustration over the abrupt postponement:
“It is very unfortunate that the election was postponed just two days before, even after all preparations were completed. This decision was made under a conspiracy. We will take the matter to court,” he told the Times of Bangladesh.
The ministry’s letter cited multiple reasons for the postponement, including allegations that some members who purchased nomination papers for the 2025–2027 term were not allowed to submit them and were subjected to intimidation and threats.
Complaints were also lodged regarding irregularities in candidate selection and the failure of the Election Commission to address internal unrest and disputes.
The letter mentions that a representative from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) reportedly informed the ministry that the association was not being managed properly and that the environment was unsuitable for holding elections on October 9.
Invoking Section 17 of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022, the Ministry of Commerce dissolved the BSAA board and appointed Sharmin Jahan as administrator with government approval.
This marks the second postponement of the BSAA election this year. Originally scheduled for April 13, the election was deferred following protests by the “Discriminated Business Forum.”
An appeal led the ministry to extend the existing board’s term by six months. The election was then rescheduled, with new members added to the voter list.
Additionally, the revised election policy restricted candidacy to shipping company owners and barred leaders who had already served two consecutive terms, disqualifying many senior executives from contesting this time.
