The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is holding its biennial election for the 2023-25 term at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka.
This election marks a significant event as it is being held after a gap of six years, with the last election taking place in 2017.
The voting started at 9am on Monday and will continue till 4pm.
Out of the total 80 directors of the FBCCI, 34 have already been chosen, with 17 directors each from the chamber and association groups, in accordance with the trade body's charter.
Initially, elections were supposed to be held for 23 directors from the chamber group and 23 from sector-based associations. However, the candidates for the chamber group appear to have been elected unopposed as there were 23 candidates against 23 posts though the FBCCI election board is yet to officially announce them elected.
The focus now shifts to the elections for the 23 directors from the sector-based associations. A total of 49 candidates are vying for these positions, contesting under two panels, namely, Sammilita Babasayi Parishad and Babasayi Oikya Parishad, along with three independent candidates. There are 1,980 voters in the election.
The directors elected through this process will elect the FBCCI president, the senior vice-president, and six vice-presidents on August 2.
Election Board Chairman A Matin Chowdhury said that all the preparations for the election have been completed.
“Necessary measures have been taken so that everyone can cast vote properly. We will try our best to conduct this election in a fair and pleasant atmosphere,” he added.
He called upon the voters to cast their votes by following the rules and maintaining discipline.
