The biennial election of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) will take place on October 9 at the Navy Convention Hall in Chattogram. Voting will be held from 8 am to 3 pm to elect 24 directors, with 56 candidates having already collected nomination papers.
As per the election schedule, voting will be conducted for 16 director posts from the general category and eight from the associate category. The final number of eligible voters stands at 161.
The election management committee released the final voter list on August 26. The last date for submission of nomination papers is September 6, while September 25 has been set as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations and publication of the final list of candidates.
Once elected, the 24 directors will choose the office-bearers of the association, including a chairman, two senior vice-chairmen, and two vice-chairmen.
Prominent contenders in this year’s election include Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury, Md. Abdul Malek, Zahur Ahmed, Shahid Ullah Chowdhury, Amena Rahman, Mohammed Tohidul Islam, Sorwar Ehsan Zia, Syed Zakaria Hossain, Kabir Ahmed, Md. Jahirul Islam Chowdhury, Mohammed Moshiul Alam, Forhadul Alam Chowdhury, Capt. Mohammed Ali, Anwarul Kabir Kamrul, Junaid Ahmed Rahat, and Sk. Md. Samidul Haque, along with several shipping company owners.
The election, originally scheduled for April 13, was postponed after a group under the banner of the “Discrimination Victims Business Forum” protested, demanding its cancellation. Following objections, the Appeal Board and Election Board suspended the election on April 8. Later, the Election Board proposed extending the current committee’s term, which the Ministry of Commerce approved, granting a six-month extension.
“Initially, the voter list included 226 eligible voters. However, after the election schedule was announced, 65 members were excluded for failing to submit the required election documents. The current number of voters now stands at 161,” said Election Board Chairman Commodore (retd.) AZM Jalal Uddin.
He assured that the election will be conducted transparently, in accordance with the rules and regulations.
Current BSAA Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif stated that members who had been elected for two consecutive terms are not eligible to run this time. As a result, 21 out of the 24 outgoing board members cannot contest. He noted that while this will create space for new leadership, it may also cause a leadership vacuum due to the lack of experience.
He also pointed out that, in the past, not only company owners but also senior officials of shipping agencies could contest in the election. Under the new rules, only company owners are eligible, which has reduced the size of the voter list compared to previous elections.
Meanwhile, Mashiul Alam Swapan, owner of AA Shipping Service and leader of the Discrimination Victims Business Forum, expressed, “Earlier, many were denied voting rights. This time, they have the opportunity. I am contesting the election and hope it will be free and fair.”
