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The biennial election to the apparel apex trade body -- Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for 2021-23 term -- will be held today (Sunday).
A total of 1,853 BGMEA Dhaka member voters will cast their vote at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden while 461 from Chattogram at the trade body's complex located in the port city, sources said.
Due to a rise in Covid-19 infections, the BGMEA election board has extended the vote-casting duration by three hours. Voters can cast their vote from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm at 14 booths, they added.
Two panels -- Sammilita Parishad and Forum -- are contesting the BGMEA elections.
Sammilita Parishad has already announced Faruque Hassan, a former vice-president of the trade body and managing director of Giant Group, as the panel leader.
On the other hand, ABM Shamsuddin, also a former BGMEA vice-president and chairman of Hannan Group, is leading the panel -- Forum.
Current BGMEA president Dr Rubuna Huq is also contesting the election.
Elections to elect the president, seven vice-presidents and office-bearers would be held on April 16 and the new board would take charge of the trade body on April 20.
The last biennial election to the trade body was held in 2013. The election is usually scheduled after every two years. However, it was not held in 2015 since both Sammilita Parishad and Forum panels jointly decided to elect the board.
Later on September 22 in 2015, Md Siddiqur Rahman became the BGMEA president and served as head of the apparel apex trade body for three years and seven months after getting extension three times from the government.
There was a consensus between the two panels to reverse leadership for two terms.
The current board under the leadership of its president Dr Rubana Huq assumed office on April 21, 2019 for a two-year term.
BGMEA, having around 4,500 members, is being run by a 35-member board of directors, including seven vice-presidents.