BGMEA seeks co-op from all in Mar 20 polls
FE Report | Thursday, 10 March 2011
FE Report
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought cooperation from all the manufacturers to elect its office-bearers for 2011-12 period in a free and fair election rescheduled for March 20. BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy made the call for cooperation at a press briefing in the conference room of its headquarters in the capital Wednesday. He said a vested quarter is trying to foil the polls by starting a malign campaign with an ulterior motive through holding separate press conferences and sending SMS on mobile phones and anonymous letters to the contestants. "It's nothing but an evil move to shatter the image of the country's apex apparel body," he said. He said following allegations of fake voters, the BGMEA election board sat on an emergency meeting with the candidates and high-ups of the association where they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under the agreement, the board extended the tenure of the current board of directors to March 27 from March 12 to hold an acceptable election after preparing a correct voter list. The BGMEA chief said professionals like managers, commercial officers and caretakers become voters in place of original voters in the list, causing a great concern to the garment makers. "We're scrutinising the matter. Definitely some masterminds are behind the wrongdoings." "Two committees have been formed to investigate the process of making the voter list. We'll give exemplary punishment to those involved in fake voter registration considering the recommendations of the probe bodies," said Mr Murshedy, also managing director of one of the country's leading apparel group - Envoy Group. A total of 3,259 voters are expected to elect 27 directors through the election of the BGMEA. According to the guideline, the elected directors will select one president and four vice-presidents to run the association for two years. Among the vice-presidents, one is elected from Chittagong region and others are from Dhaka region. He expressed hope that the new voter list will be ready soon and the election will be held as per schedule. "Our election is going to take place at a time when the country's apparel industry is facing a number of problems like electricity and gas crisis. So, we urge all to cooperate with the election board through submitting required papers for preparing a correct voter list in order to ensure a free and fair election," he said. Earlier, the biennial election of the BGMEA was scheduled for February 24. Two panels, one led by Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez and another led by Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, have been contesting in the election.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought cooperation from all the manufacturers to elect its office-bearers for 2011-12 period in a free and fair election rescheduled for March 20. BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy made the call for cooperation at a press briefing in the conference room of its headquarters in the capital Wednesday. He said a vested quarter is trying to foil the polls by starting a malign campaign with an ulterior motive through holding separate press conferences and sending SMS on mobile phones and anonymous letters to the contestants. "It's nothing but an evil move to shatter the image of the country's apex apparel body," he said. He said following allegations of fake voters, the BGMEA election board sat on an emergency meeting with the candidates and high-ups of the association where they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under the agreement, the board extended the tenure of the current board of directors to March 27 from March 12 to hold an acceptable election after preparing a correct voter list. The BGMEA chief said professionals like managers, commercial officers and caretakers become voters in place of original voters in the list, causing a great concern to the garment makers. "We're scrutinising the matter. Definitely some masterminds are behind the wrongdoings." "Two committees have been formed to investigate the process of making the voter list. We'll give exemplary punishment to those involved in fake voter registration considering the recommendations of the probe bodies," said Mr Murshedy, also managing director of one of the country's leading apparel group - Envoy Group. A total of 3,259 voters are expected to elect 27 directors through the election of the BGMEA. According to the guideline, the elected directors will select one president and four vice-presidents to run the association for two years. Among the vice-presidents, one is elected from Chittagong region and others are from Dhaka region. He expressed hope that the new voter list will be ready soon and the election will be held as per schedule. "Our election is going to take place at a time when the country's apparel industry is facing a number of problems like electricity and gas crisis. So, we urge all to cooperate with the election board through submitting required papers for preparing a correct voter list in order to ensure a free and fair election," he said. Earlier, the biennial election of the BGMEA was scheduled for February 24. Two panels, one led by Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez and another led by Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, have been contesting in the election.