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The Swadhinata Parishad candidates were assaulted during the election in 2019, with members with allegiance to the rival platforms snatching away their nomination papers and other documents, alleges its chief
The Swadhinata Parishad, one of the platforms contesting in the biennial election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), on Sunday expressed its scepticism about the fairness of the balloting.
“Although we are prepared, we are unsure whether our candidates can properly file nomination papers, which was a major hassle during the 2019 election,” said Md Zahangir Alam, convener of the platform, at a press conference.
The apparel makers usually elect the leader of their sector’s apex trade body for two years under the banners of Sammilita Parishad and Forum, a panel of BGMEA’s registered members.
But since September 2015, the apex trade body of the apparel sector has been selecting presidents on a consensus between members of the two platforms.
Disgruntled former members from both the leading platforms formed the Swadhinata Parishad in 2019, determined to break the influence of both the controlling nexus.
With the view to reestablishing the right to vote to elect the leaders and to restore a voting culture, the platform started its journey in 2019 and took part in the election that year, said Alam, also the managing director of Design and Source.
But the Swadhinata Parishad candidates were assaulted during the last election, he said, adding that members with allegiance to the rival platforms had snatched their nomination papers and other documents.
He went on to urge the BGMEA’s election commission to ensure a free and fair poll this time, scheduled to take place on April 4.
The panel leader also thanked the BGMEA for arranging a neutral venue in the form of Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, and the introduction of biometric voter cards for ensuring transparency.
This year, the platform has pledged to formulate a safety standard guideline for small and medium entrepreneurs.
“The voice of SMEs remains unheard. They are struggling to survive. To raise the voice of those exporters, we would select our candidates from that pool,” Alam told Dhaka Tribune.
It will also introduce a unified code of practice for all buyers, to open apparel sections in Bangladesh’s foreign missions to brand Bangladeshi products and provide services to buyers.
The Sammilita Parishad, Forum and Shadhinata Parishad have all declared their candidate panels to contest in the polls for electing the governing body of the garment sector’s apex trade body.
Faruque Hassan, a former senior vice-president of the BGMEA, will lead the Sammilita Parishad, while ABM Shamsuddin, a former vice-president of the trade body, will lead Forum.
(DT)
