Zayed Khan out, Nipun in as gen secy

In the end, film actor Zayed Khan succumbed to the decision of the Appellate Board of Election that removed him from the post of General Secretary of Bangladesh Film Artists Association, and declared Nipun the winner for the post.

The announcement came at a press conference at the Film Development Corporation Saturday evening.

Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Appellate Board and filmmaker, announced the decision at the FDC.

The election of Shilpi Samiti was held on January 28 when Zayed Khan appeared to win the post of general secretary there.

It was his third consecutive win. However, his rival candidate actress Nipun complained that Zayed had rigged the election through buying votes.

Nipun also held a press conference on these allegations, and lodged a written complaint with the Appellate Board of Election.

The Ministry of Social Welfare then gave the board the responsibility to address the issue.

The Appellate Board called a meeting on Saturday afternoon when Nipun took an active part in it, but Zayed remained absent.

In his absence, Sohanur Rahman Sohan announced that “Zayed Khan would not be the general secretary of Shilpi Samiti. His candidacy has been revoked on allegations of election fraud.”

“Instead Nipun was declared winner unopposed.”

Earlier, Zayed Khan had been the general secretary of the association for two terms (four years) along with Misha Saudagar, who was the president of Shilpi Samity.

Legendary actor Ilyas Kanchan won the post of president in the recently held polls.

The number of voters in this election was 428. Of these, 365 cast their votes to elect office bearers for Shilpi Samity.

Ilias Kanchan won the election with 191 votes while his opponent Misha Saudagar bagged 148 votes.

Zayed Khan came up with 176 votes and his rival Nipun got 163 votes.