Bachsas election on September 1, Rafiquzzaman becomes CEC

The reputed film organisation, Bangladesh Film Journalists Association (Bachsas), is set to hold its bi-annual election on September 1. The announcement came from the regular general meeting of Bachsas’ Executive Committee yesterday (July 3). Falguni Hamid, president of the organisation, confirmed the news to several media outlets.

She said that the Election Commission Board was formed on April 7. Some members have resigned from the earlier board.

So it had to be formed again. Veteran film journalist Rafiquzzaman was made Chief Election Commissioner on this board.

He is accompanied by Rezaul Karim Shamim, Iqbal Khorshed, Ali Imam Sumon, Mohammad Jaseem Uddin as Election Commissioner.

“We could not organise the elections on time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Then there were some complications regarding the court case. After overcoming these crises, we have moved forward with the elections,” added Hamid.

Hamid also informed the press that the election will be held at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) premises on September 1 and she expects that it will be completed in a festive mood.

Kamruzzaman Babu, general secretary of Bachsas said, “Many of us were looking forward to the election. We hope that it will be a festive election and everyone will participate this time.”

The organisation holds an award show called Bachsas Award since 1972. It is the first Bangladeshi award introduced after the Liberation War.

The motto of the award was “Creative films with social commitment” and the symbol was the Royal Bengal Tiger. The first award was given for the films of 1972 and 1973. The categories of the awards were Best film (production), direction, story, screenplay, dialogue, leading and supporting actor, leading and supporting actress, music direction, male and female playback singers, camera work, editing and sound recording.

Documentary films of special importance, and initiating new or alternative trends were also awarded.

The awards were given regularly up to 1988. After a break of 7 years, the awards were reintroduced in 1995.