BKMEA elections scheduled for May 10

The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has announced its election schedule for the 2025-2027 term.

Voting will take place on May 10 at the BKMEA head office in Chashara, Narayanganj and its Dhaka office, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm without interruption.

Election board chairman Shafiullah Chowdhury has issued the schedule and rules.

In line with the Trade Organisation Rules of 1994 and Section 13(2) of the BKMEA Memorandum and Articles of Association, 35 directors will be elected.

From these, nine office bearers, including the president, executive president, and seven vice-presidents, will be selected.

The primary voter list will be published on 13 March, with the final list released on 25 March after addressing any complaints.

The election commission will announce the list of nominated candidates on 16 April, and candidates may withdraw their nominations by 3:00 pm on 19 April.

The final candidate list will be published on 19 April at 5:00 pm.

Voters can collect their identification cards between 20 April and 8 May.

The primary election results will be announced after voting on 10 May.

The election for office bearers will be held on 15 May, with results published on 17 May.

The election board has also introduced rules to govern the process, ensuring compliance with the Trade Organisation Rules of 1994 and BKMEA’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Speaking about the election, BKMEA president Mohammad Hatem said members had long been deprived of the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.

‘We have decided to hold regular elections and have formed both the election and appeal boards. After the July uprising, the then-president resigned citing personal reasons, creating a leadership vacuum. The board then appointed me as president for the remainder of the term,’ he said.

During this interim period, they engaged with the government to secure policy support for the industry, he added.

‘Just as Bangladesh is advancing with democratic elections, we also decided to allow our members to elect their leadership through a democratic process, even though our board’s term is set to end in September,’ he said.

Hatem also confirmed his candidacy as the Combined Knit Forum panel leader.

Salim Osman had led BKMEA since 22 July 2010, and while the association formally held elections in advance of each term, these were uncontested, with nomination papers submitted from a single panel.

On 25 August 2024, Salim resigned after the Sheikh Hasina-led government was overthrown earlier that month amid a widespread uprising.

Following his resignation, Mohammad Hatem, managing director of MB Knit Fashion Limited, was appointed as the new president.