Two competing fractions from BGMEA, “Forum” and “Shommilito Porishod” has recently came to an understanding not to compete each other in the election. BGMEA election is scheduled on September 8, 2015. A joint committee from Forum and Porishod will select candidates for the election. On the committee, Mr. Tipu Munshi is the convener and Mr. Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury is the member secretary. This committee will select candidates for the next two terms. For the first term, they will select President candidate from Porishod and for the second, they will select from Forum. After that term, the two fractions will unite. However, any interested person can participate in the election. According to people related to BGMEA, the possibility of someone elected without a nomination from Forum or Porishod is fairly low. Hence, this initiative is viewed as taking the voting rights off from ordinary members. On a fairly contested election, the candidates tell their views and action plans on problems and development issues. The members can select the best possible candidate who can address their requirements. If there is no alternative, how can they choose? There are many shortcomings of the democratic process. However, until now, this is the best process we have to elect our leadership. Absence of this process undoubtedly makes the leadership unaccountable leading the organization to inefficient and corrupt. The leadership can become questionable any time. Will the leadership be able to successfully negotiate with government, buyers, accord and alliance, and many other concerns? Will they be able to reflect the dreams of the members? Or will they be able to get the same importance hold by present members? Only time will tell. Ex President and Forum leader Mr. Anwar-Ul-Alam told the media that the professionalism of BGMEA office bearers are decreasing. The last few committees failed to meet the expectations placed on them. To enhance the professionalism and build BGMEA into a corporate model, they are taking this initiative. But this statement in a way certifies that Forum and Porishod are not doing what they are expected to do. They are not nominating professional candidates. After all, the general members are only electing office bearers from their nominees. If they (Forum and Porishod) cannot nominate professional candidates now, how can we expect them to do the same in future? However, Ex BGMEA Presidents Mr. Shofiul Islam (Mohiudding) and Mr. Abdus Salam Murshedi have disagreed this comment and told, if the last few committees failed to meet the expectation, how can Porishod win the last three consecutive elections? BGMEA can only get out of this if both Forum and Porishod assures the professionalism of their nominees and contest on the election.
