No candidates outside the two panels of the BGMEA which reached consensus over sharing posts submitted nomination papers on Monday, the last day of submitting nomination papers, to vie for the posts of director in the election of the trade body. A total of 38 candidates from the two panels–– Sammilita Parishad and Forum –– submitted nomination papers to the election board of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association against 35 posts of director for the next two years term. As per the negotiation between the two panels, Sammilita Parishad would hold 19 posts of director and the Forum would hold 16 posts. Against 19 director posts, a total of 22 nomination papers have been submitted from Sammilita Parishad while Forum submitted 16 nomination papers against the same number of posts. A leader of Sammilita Parishad told New Age that two additional candidates from their panel submitted nomination papers and one of the candidates, Md Siddiqur Rahman, submitted two nomination papers from two units. He said that one of the nomination papers of Siddiqur Rahman will be withdrawn and we are negotiating with two other candidates so that they withdraw their nomination papers. Sammilita Parishad leaders are hopeful that the two additional candidates would agree to withdraw their nomination papers in due time. According to the election schedule the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is August 15 and the polls date is September 8. As per the rules, the elected 35 directors would choose the eight-member office bearers (president and seven vice presidents) of BGMEA for the next 2015-16 term. The two panels have already reached a consensus that the Sammilita Parishad leader Siddiqur Rahman would hold the post of president. Out of seven vice presidents, Sammilita Parishad would hold four posts while Forum three posts. As per the compromise of the two panels, the possible vice presidents of Sammilita Parishad are: Moinuddin Ahmed (first VP from Chittagong), Faruque Hassan (senior VP), SM Mannan Kochi (second VP) and Mohammed Nasir (VP Finance). The possible vice presidents of Forum are: Ferdous Perves Bivon, Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu and Md Ferdous (Chittagong). Many of the BGMEA members are not happy about the selection process as it is destroying the long tradition of competitive elections in the trade body. None of them, however, want to say anything against the selection process fearing reprisal as the government has already endorsed the move.
