The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association have announced the election schedule for its board of directors and office bearers for the 2025-2027 terms.
The election will take place on May 10 at two centres: BKMEA鈥檚 head office at Chashara in Narayanganj and at its Dhaka office. Voting will be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm without any break.
Shafiullah Chowdhury, chairman of BKMEA election board, recently issued the election schedule and rules.
The members of the trade body expressed optimism, saying that this early election would help democratise the trade body.
Following the Trade Organisation Rules of 1994 and Section 13 (2) of the BKMEA Memorandum and Articles of Association, the election will elect 35 directors. Nine office bearers, including president, executive president and seven vice-presidents, will be chosen from among them.
As per the schedule, the primary voter list will be published on March 13, followed by the final voter list on March 25 after any complaints are addressed.
The election commission will release the list of nominated candidates on April 16, with candidates having the option to withdraw by 3:00pm on April 19, according to the schedule. The final candidate list will be published on the same day at 5:00pm.
Voters can collect their voter identification cards between April 20 and May 8.
The primary results will be announced after the voting on May 10. Complaints will be addressed before the final results are declared on May 14.
The election for office bearers will take place on May 15 and the result will be published on May 17.
The election board also introduced rules to govern the electoral process. It emphasised that all activities would adhere to the Trade Organisation Rules, 1994 and BKMEA鈥檚 Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The board of directors will not interfere in any election-related matters and election officers will be appointed to ensure a smooth process.
The code of conduct remains in effect from the date the schedule is issued until the election is concluded.
Any violation may result in disciplinary action, including cancellation of a candidate鈥檚 nomination, after the candidate has been given an opportunity to defend themselves.
Regarding the election, BKMEA president Mohammad Hatem said that members had been deprived of the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights for a long time.
鈥榃e decided to hold early elections and formed both the election and appeal boards. After the July uprising, the then-president resigned showing personal reasons, creating a leadership vacuum. The board then appointed me as president for the remainder of the term,鈥� he said.
Hatem explained that during this interim period, they maintained contact with the government to ensure policy support for the industry.
鈥楯ust as Bangladesh is progressing with democratic elections, we also decided to allow our members to elect their leadership through a democratic process, even though our board鈥檚 term was set to end in September,鈥� he added.
He also confirmed his candidacy as Combined Knit Forum panel leader.
Salim Osman led BKMEA since July 22, 2010. Since then, the association has not staged a competitive election, though it held elections in advance of each election, with nomination papers coming from a single panel.
On August 25, 2024, Salim resigned after the Sheikh Hasina-led government was overthrown earlier that month amid a widespread uprising.
Following his resignation, Mohammad Hatem, managing director of MB Knit Fashion Limited, was appointed new president.
