The election board of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has cancelled the nominations filed by 32 heavyweight businesses for the upcoming election due to loan and tax default.
A total of 32 loan and tax defaulters lost their candidacy to compete in the election of the apex trade body of the country. However, the decision on two other candidates has been deferred for the clarification of National Board of Revenue (NBR), according to the FBCCI election board notice.
Board chairman A Matin Chowdhury said the candidacies were not accepted as per the letter received from Bangladesh Bank dated July 7, and another letter received from the NBR dated July 10 this year. The board took the decision after due scrutiny.
The hopefuls whose nominations cancelled
A total of 22 nominations submitted by aspirants from association group were rejected. Of them, six businesses were nominated for the next committee from the group. Besides, two nominations of the group were also deferred. The board will take decision on the two persons after getting clarification from NBR regarding the status of tax payment.
The heavyweight businesses who their lost candidacies are: Md Nazrul Islam Mazumder, Khandaker Ruhul Amin, KM Akhtaruzzaman, Md Shafiqul Islam Vorosha, Md Habib Ullah Dawn, Sayed Sadat Almas Kabir, Mohammed Abul Basher, Nizamuddin Rajesh, Md Abul Hossain, Mohammad Khorshed Alam, Mohammad Monsur, Shahab Uddin Khan, Md Abul Hashem, Serajul Islam, Md Rakibul Alam, Salama Hossain Ash, Md. Jakir Hossain, Taher Ahmed Siddiqui, and Khondakar Enayet Ullah.
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan’s nomination has been rejected as his signature did not match with his specimen signature given in the voter form. There is also overwriting on the nomination form. So, his nomination was not accepted.
Mousumi Islam’s nomination was cancelled as her voter number in nomination form was penned through. Besides, Mohammad Anwar Hossain's nomination was rejected as his name and voter number of the proposer in the nomination form was peened through.
Sayed Sadat Almas Kabir, incumbent director of FBCCI, told the Business Post that the nominations were withheld, not cancelled. “The issue regarding my nomination has already been resolved,” he said, expressing the hope that others’ issues would also be resolved.
“I have confidence in the election board. The election will be free and fair,” he added.
From chamber group, the nominations of Hasiana Newaaz, Mohammad Nizam Uddin, Abul Kashem Khan, Md Ali Hossain (Shishir), Md Shah Jalal, Mohammad Riyadh Ali, Mohammad Fayazur Rahman Bhuiyan, Mohabbat Ullah, Samiul Haque Safa, and Sujib Ranjan Dash were not accepted.
Vow to hold fair election
Talking to The Business Post, FBCCI Vice President Md Amin Helaly said the federation could not hold the election properly two times in the past due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and lack of trust in the apex trade body.
“We are firmly committed to holding a neutral and fair election. Prominent business leader A Matin Chowdury is the chairman of the election board for 2023-25,” he also said.
After completing the Business Summit successfully, he said, a good image has been created among the business community so that many want to vie for the election. A total of 70 businesses had applied to compete for 23 director posts in the election slated for July 31.
According to the FBCCI, the board has not taken any decision on the candidature of Abdul Haque and Enayet Ullah Siddiqui. The board said clarification will be sought from NBR regarding the status of tax payment.
Besides, some nominations were rejected due to mismatch in signatures and other mistakes in nomination papers. However, the aspirants have two days to appeal to the appellate board to review the decision.
“The deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers is July 18. A total of 80 people will be elected and nominated as directors for the next committee. Of them, 23 businesses will be elected and 17 will be nominated from the association group. And 23 people will be elected and 17 will be nominated from the chamber group,” Helaly said.
According to the election schedule notice of FBCCI, hearing and disposal of appeals against the cancellation of nominations for the post of directors will be held by the Election Appeal Board between July 12 and 14. And the final list of valid candidates will be published on July 15. Besides, the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed at July 18.
The election will be held from 9 am to 4 pm without any break on July 31. The names of the elected directors will be announced after the election. On August 2, the elected directors will elect the president, senior vice-president, and six vice-presidents.
Any candidate can file appeal to the Election Appeal Board against the result of election of directors and office bearers, if any, on August 4.
The final result of the election will be announced on August 7.
